The Mist tries to create a thrilling atmosphere, but ultimately is just mediocre.

Rating: 5/10 (27 February 2018)

I've tried to open my eyes up to one of Stephen King's later horror films, but alas with every watch I just feel underwhelmed. A strange elusive mist overshadows a small town where various civilians are trapped in a supermarket. However, within the mist are strange gruesome creatures so it's up to the trapped survivors to try and escape. The situation that is presented is an allegory. Humanity itself is self-destructive. With many different personalities in one secluded location, there's bound to be cliques, differing views and struggle for power. This is where the film succeeds. The paranoia undertone that the narrative conveys is the thrilling element. Utilising the strength of fear to persuade and corrupt others into an idealism. How is that portrayed here? A flipping religious lunatic preaching to the crowd. Oh yes, is it a sly dig at religious conversion? No, I don't think so. It highlights how humans destroy each other, and provides the plot with an antagonist that incredibly infuriated me. The monsters are just there to provide tame scares in all it's horrible CGI glory. Sure they look creative and provide some gruesome aspects, yet somehow I was bored. I wasn't particularly thrilled. I just felt incredibly annoyed at how damn easily people can get corrupted, which in fairness is what the plot was going for. I found the acting to be incredibly mediocre, particularly in the first two acts. Every line of dialogue was monotonous. A few good gory scenes involving mini arachnids bursting out a living person or acid web to the face. Then...the ending arrives. If I wasn't infuriated enough, this was the icing on the cake. I absolutely hated the conclusion. Depressing? Yes. But damn coincidental and convenient if you ask me. I understand the purpose, that even good souls ultimately destroy others. But...urgh. The trapped environment and intelligent narrative is what excites me, everything else was absurdly mediocre. Just...the ending...I despise it.