The Mist
/“Put more than two of us in a room, we pick sides and start dreaming up reasons to kill one another. Why do you think we invented politics and religion?”
Filmology Rating: 3 out of 4
The terror of humanity has been explored for generations with a couple of the most famous movies being “The Most Dangerous Game” and “Lord of the Flies”. We, as a species, clearly have issues dealing not only with our own mortality but also dealing with the fact that we hardly ever have all the answers. The Mist explores these themes and I would argue that it helps us to redefine and question our own morals while watching it. Any film that makes you question your own humanity and what you would do if placed in a situation that threatens your own life and those around you should be celebrated, even if the film can be stomach turning at times to watch.
The Mist is based off a short story, of the same name, by horror master Stephen King. While I admit that I haven’t read the story yet I now feel the need to seek it out. I wish I could speak about the adaptations of this film, or if it’s just a reimagining of the story that King crafted. I would like to think that it’s a mixture like all great adaptations should be. While King is best known for his frightening subjects, I continue to be surprised by the amount of humanity that is displayed in his best works; if you need some reminders of this I would seek out It (2017), Stand by Me, and The Shawshank Redemption. The Mist is yet another film that speaks to our humanity and like everyday life, we have people who take that gift for granted and King seems to strive for twisting our common fears into twisted nightmares.
Some of the effects in the film look amazing while others look incredibly campy, much like watching a 1950s horror film. If The Mist was more focused on the terror of the creatures this would be a bigger problem but since the film is more focused on the horrors inside the store the lackluster effects don’t completely derail the film. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean we should be applauding supper effets in a film, all that I’m saying is that they don’t completely destroy the mood of the film but they do come close at times.
The emotional impact that the ending has cannot be overstated, no matter how you feel about it, you will have an emotional impact. I found myself on the verge of tears due to the actions taking place. I just wish that the score during the moments occurring wasn’t so bombastically dramatic. It’s not like the viewer isn’t smart enough to understand what is going on, since the ending is pretty simple to understand but the music during the last few minutes nearly kills the impact of the ending.
I was surprised with how much I enjoyed The Mist, after struggling with It: Chapter 2 recently I was close to writing off the works of Stephen King but after watching this adaptation I’m given some hope for the upcoming Doctor Sleep. This Mist, a story of humanity and how close we are to actually losing our morals and common sense during times of crisis - a message that seems to becoming more relevant in this era.
Rating: See It
-Jonny G
'The Mist' is a relatively newer film from 2007 based off a Stephen King novel.
After a freak storm, a thick layer of mist begins to shroud a small town. Inside of the mist, a species of bloodthirsty creatures. A small group of citizens are trapped in a supermarket and try to survive for as long as possible.
This film was directed by Frank Darabont who has plenty of experience adapting Stephen King novels- 'The Green Mile' and 'The Shawshank Redemption.' One of which happens to be one of the most critically acclaimed films ever made. Darabont also wrote this film along with films like 'Saving Private Ryan' and my favorite 'Nightmare on Elm Street' film- 'The Dream Warriors.' And for having done two of the most famous King adaptations, it's surprising to see how low of a budget this film had, which was only eighteen million dollars. I personally think that works in the film's favor because, at its core, this is a B-movie executed almost to perfection.
Our protagonist, David (Thomas Jane), is a father, husband, and a designer of film posters. It should be noted that in the opening of the film, we see a poster for both 'The Thing' and 'The Dark Tower.' But once the storm rips through his families' front window, David, his neighbor, and David's son all go into town for supplies. Upon doing so, they all get trapped in a grocery store for the majority of the film.
Similar to 'Night of the Living Dead', you sympathize most with David because he is the most forward-thinking and dynamic character in the entire film. But what is so brilliant about this film is how ludicrous some of the side characters are. And once everyone becomes confined into the small store, they form their own little society. Seeing how that society functions without rules, leadership, or social norms, is so terrifying because it shows how horrible human beings can be.
Once we first enter the grocery store, we are immediately introduced to characters who will play a major role in the film. But what's most hilarious is how satirical the writing is and how purposely broad it is. Like one character is a religious lunatic who thinks the mist was brought down from God to punish us. There are several characters who are gun nuts, some US Miliatry soldiers, the elderly, and Toby Jones.
Most people know Toby Jones for being the mad scientist in 'Captain America' 1 and 2, but in this film, he's playing the assistant manager at a grocery store. And his character has such a fun dynamic in progressing the story that normally one would not associate with Toby Jones.
Thomas Jane as David holds this entire film together. Everyone in this film is borderline crazy, but David keeps you invested in the plot because you want to see him and his son survive.
Marcia Gay Harden as the religious nut is so over-the-top in this film, but she's perfect because of it. She, and even William Sadler to an extent, is the exactly what this film needed in the second act. They are both so repulsive and crazy.
But just like any other survival film, everyone argues about what to do. People try going out into the mist, but they die. If they stay in the store, it's only a matter of time. And once people begin losing faith in logical and forward-thinking, the crazy religious lady begins recruiting a cult following, literally. And seeing human beings act in that way is the true horror of this film.
This entire film does have spooky creatures, tentacle monsters, and bugs in the mist, but in this film, the mist is allegorical for how quickly society can fall apart in this microcosm of civilization in this grocery store. And because of that aspect, this is one of the most terrifying films I've ever seen because of how Darabont makes you a civilian in this story.
Because of the film's low-budget, Darabont shot a lot of this film documentary style. So everything is very eye-level and unstable, which helps create an atmosphere of discomfort. And this entire film just keeps on ramping up the energy as you watch.
And this film never lets up. The end of this film is possibly the darkest and most depressing ending to a horror film. It's so unsettling and I will say no more.
One of thr biggest issues with the film is how David's relationship with his son keeps getting pushed aside. At every possible opportunity, David is pawning off his kid to random strangers. Similar to Carl in early seasons of 'The Walking Dead.' Speaking of which, a lot of the cast from 'The Walking Dead' is in this. Most notably, Jeffrey DeMunn and Melissa McBride. DeMunn has a major role, but Melissa McBride has like teo scenes in the entire film.
This is an absolutely wonderful Stephen King B-movie that has a lot of the genres hallmarks such as dark comedy, brooding atmosphere, and puts the absolute worst of humanity on display where the horror simply comes from human nature. And plus, a grandma uses a can of hairspray and a lighter to blowtorch a giant spider.
Rating: See It
-Nolan