The summer has been running out of gas and tries to get a boost from several remakes including another horror film called Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. It’s a tale of things that go bump in the night. In this case it’s little monsters that have a plan. I like a good horror flick now and then and I found this film a winner in the crowded market. My only question; why it isn’t being released during the Halloween season, a perfect opportunity missed.
The story finds Sally (Bailee Madison) a demure youngster moving in with her father (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) in a huge 19th century manor where they are renovating it for a quick sale. Being easily bored Sally explores the huge old mansion in wonderment. At one point she discovers the house has a secret lower level that has not been entered for almost a hundred years. While exploring a little too much she accidentally opens a doorway that contains creatures intent on destroying everyone in the household.
The whole cast does a very good job of showing off their skills as a family in distress. I liked Holmes in the roll of the ‘surrogate mommy’ who has to try to win Sally over. She does an excellent job showing her frustration of not being able to soothe Sally’s feelings that she was cast off by her mother to live with her father. When things start getting heated up in the horror department, Kim’s the one who has to deal with the worst blow.
The star of Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark however is Bailee Madison who makes her character believably startled yet curious, then strong in the face of the beast. Her bewitching eyes, inquisitive mind and captivating smile get turned into a frightful horror that imbues a state of incredible terror. Controlling the circumstances and enabling the plot to spool out slowly not showing his beasts until well into the film, director Troy Nixey does a good job with his young actor keeping her intent with finding out just what she’s up against.
What adds to a good horror flick is the camera work and in this film, there are a lot of excellent shots including a scene in the cellar that will blow your mind. Aided by some very good CGI, cinematographer Oliver Stapleton (Unthinkable) puts the audience into a very brutal and scary arena filled with ugly creatures that tear, slice and scratch. His shots of the exterior mansion and the grounds keep the film chilling and cold, while his interiors are a playground for horror.
The film is rated R for violence and terror. There are some scenes of brutality and gore that are very realistic and should only be viewed by mature adults.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A killer of a chiller (B).
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
