Incredibly Tense Horror, With An Underlying Examination Of Human Nature.

Rating: 9/10 (21 November 2007)

"The Mist", based on a short story by Stephen King, focuses on David Drayton (Thomas Jane), an artist who lives in a small seaside Maine town with his wife and son. After a severe storm passes, David and his son go to the local grocery store to get a few things while waiting for help. Also in the store is David's neighbor, Brent (Andre Braugher), whom he has a personal conflict with; Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden), a religious extremist known for being a bit loony; Amanda Dumfries (Laurie Holden), a friendly town resident; and countless others. When one of the town locals comes screaming in the grocery store about "something in the mist", everyone watches in awe as a thick mist envelopes the store - a mist that carries deadly creatures with it. Trapped inside the small grocery mart in what seems to be an apocalyptic disaster, the large group of residents begin a struggle to survive the otherworldy creatures invading-- as well as survive each other.
One of the best horror films to come this year, "The Mist" is a dark and frightening story that was translated very nicely to the screen from Stephen King's original short novella. It differs from the story in places, but it sticks with the main themes. I went into this film with fairly moderate expectations, and luckily I was blown away. I typically don't go for "creature features" - I find them to be completely unrealistic and often quite corny. However, I felt that the creatures presented in this film, while they are monstrous and alien-like, are scary. They aren't over-done, and are presented in a manner in which they are actually frightening, unlike some obnoxious CGI creations that I've seen before in other films.
The film begins rather quickly, and as soon as the grocery store setting is introduced, the terror kicks in. After the mist arrives and we become aware of the monstrous creatures lurking outside, the film turns into somewhat of a character study interlaced with science-fiction/apocalyptic horror, and the combination works out perfectly. As the will to survive takes hold of each of the many people trapped together in the grocery store, they resort to desperate measures to save themselves. William Golding's literature classic "Lord of the Flies" immediately entered my mind while watching this, especially with the religious zealot character, Mrs. Carmody, who preaches and persuades, gaining a group of weakened followers in her fanatical beliefs. This results in a stand off between Mrs. Carmody and her followers, and the more logical characters who are searching for ways to survive. The dynamic between the characters in the film is extraordinary, and the hysteria and desperation are deep themes for a horror film.
Acting here is top-notch, and the cast has their work cut out for them, all playing characters pushed to the point of desperation. Thomas Jane leads the cast as our main character, a brave and protective father. Laurie Holden is excellent as the good-hearted, idealistic Amanda, and Marcia Gay Harden gives a powerful performance as the crazed Mrs. Carmody- I wanted to literally punch the woman in the face throughout the whole film, so that tells me that the collaboration of the writing and Harden's performance were doing something right. Andre Braugher (who starred in the 2004 mini-series of King's "'Salem's Lot") is also good as David's strong-willed neighbor. As for the film's ending - it's not ambiguous like the story's was, but I'm not sure if it was a good or bad thing. Tragic, yes, it's that for sure, as well as shocking and upsetting- but I cannot decide what my stand on it is. I suppose it's fitting, and it was cleverly written, but may be too much for some to take.
Overall, "The Mist" is a powerful science-fiction thriller that most genre fans will likely enjoy. It's a tense, frightening, and claustrophobic creature-feature/horror movie - but underneath all of that, it's also an examination of the human condition when put under terrifying situations, and what group hysteria and desperation can lead people to do. All around well-acted, well-directed, and highly engrossing. The end may be a little controversial, but it was tragically and painfully clever. It's a horror movie that you won't want to miss, and it ranks as one of the best so far this year. 9/10.