Review of The Mist (2007) by Ben B — 30 Apr 2013

After directing two Stephen King-based films ('The Shawshank Redemption' and 'The Green Mile'), Frank Darabont takes on the one of the acclaimed author's more frightening tales. Pitting humanity against a deadly mist and against itself is indeed a smart concept, but unfortunately, Darabont gets a little lost in this less-than-terrifying fog of a thriller.

There are good performances here, especially from Marcia Gay Harden as the religiously nutty Mrs. Carmody, and the critters found in the mist are undeniably creepy. However, the film suffers from an uneven balance of drama and horror, average hand-held camerawork, and a downbeat ending that while emotionally devastating, feels out of place and almost unrealistic.

It's an interesting experience no doubt, but it's a forgettable one as well.