Today’s quick review: The Mist. Mist rolls into a town in Maine, concealing an unknown threat that kills anyone caught outside. David Drayton (Thomas Jane) and his son Billy (Nathan Gamble) take shelter in a supermarket along with dozens of other survivors. As tensions mount, David becomes the leader of the group. But he faces competition from Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden), an unstable woman who sees the mist as a form of divine punishment.
The Mist is a survival horror movie based on a novella by Stephen King. Trapped and afraid, a motley group of survivors struggles to keep it together long enough for help to arrive. The Mist blends otherworldly danger with bleak commentary on human nature, resulting in a dark movie that covers both ends of the horror spectrum. Interesting conflicts and solid execution make it a strong pick for viewers with the right taste.
What sets The Mist apart from other horror movies is its focus on the psychology of the survivors. Faced with the unknown, the survivors splinter into three groups: one that sees the mist as a threat to be dealt with, one that believes it was sent by God, and one that denies it is dangerous at all. The interplay between these groups makes for some effective drama, including a couple of harrowing scenes when the tension boils over into violence.
The Mist also does well as a more conventional horror movie. The revelation of what’s in the mist is suitably disturbing, and the question of where it came from gives the movie just the right amount of mystery. The movie gets most of its thrills from grotesque imagery, unanswered questions, and the impossible choices faced by the characters. The Mist balances these tools well, making it a horror movie with a lot to offer.
Still, there are a few aspects of The Mist that will hurt some viewers’ enjoyment. The characters are generally careful, especially by the standards of the genre, but their few mistakes are costly. The emphasis on social dynamics can be exhausting, and the tone skews bleak, even for what is essentially a disaster movie. Finally, while the mystery is handled well in terms of tension, some viewers will not like the answers the movie provides.
The Mist is a worthwhile pick for anyone who enjoys darker movies, with something to offer for fans of body horror, disaster movies, and psychological dramas. The catch is that its heavy tone and graphic content will dissuade some viewers, while others won’t like how the story plays out. Anyone interested should give The Mist a try, but viewers looking for either a straight monster movie or a minimalistic drama should approach with caution.
For a disaster movie with a less hopeless atmosphere, try War of the Worlds. For a dark sci-fi thriller about an unknown creature, try Cloverfield. For a survival thriller that deals with similar themes, try Bird Box. For a bleak survival movie without the supernatural elements, try The Road. For a somewhat less successful take on a similar flavor of disaster, try The Happening. For a surreal brush with the ineffable, try Annihilation.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for an effective blend of horror and drama.