A bleak tale of monsters in the mist

Rating: 9/10 (2 October 2016)

As this film opens a storm strikes a small Maine town damaging the lakeside property of protagonist David Drayton; an unusual mist is visible over the lake but they don't give it much though. David then drives into town with his son and his neighbour to pick up some supplies. On the way they see several emergency vehicles as well as military vehicles from the local base; again they don't give the matter too much thought. Once there they get their supplies but before they can leave the supermarket a man runs in shouting about something dangerous in the mist. Within minutes the whole area is engulfed in a thick fog and the store shakes as if there was an earthquake. One person goes out but all the people inside hear are screams. David and some others go to work on the generator and when they open the back door a tentacle reaches in and grabs one of them. When the others in the store are told what happened some don't believe it and one woman, Mrs. Carmody, decides what is happening is clearly what was foretold in the Book of Revelation. After some arguing the former group leave and disappear into the mist. Soon more creatures appear; this time giant insects drawn to the lights. Some get in and by the time they have been driven back another person is dead and Mrs. Carmody is more convinced than ever that it is all the work of a vengeful god. People start to turn on each other and it isn't long before Mrs. Carmody and her followers decide that somebody must be sacrificed of course one is never enough. Eventually David and a few others decide to make a break for it but will they be able to get to his car and even if they can is there anywhere left to go to?
This film, based on a story by Stephen King, is one of the bleakest I've seen for some time; not because of the creatures that keep picking people off but because of the way it shows people turning on each other as soon as thing get bad even before they have the slightest inkling of just how bad they will get. The people don't come together; instead they form factions and turn on each other. The fact that most of the film takes place within the crowded shop adds a sense of claustrophobia. The creatures are suitably scary; giant insects and similar creatures are somehow more frightening than strange monsters. There is a slight sense of mystery about where they came from but there are plenty of hints that mean it isn't a total surprise when we find out. The film concludes with an ending that viewers will love or hate; I can't imagine too many people being neutral on the matter as it is so incredibly downbeat. The cast does a solid job; Thomas Jane impresses as David and Laurie Holden does a fine job as the woman who helps look after his son. There are also good supporting turns from the likes of Toby Jones and Andre Braugher but it is Marcia Gay Harden who stands out as the religious zealot Mrs. Carmody; a character more disturbing than any of the creatures. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a good horror movie and doesn't expect a happy ending.