Considering this movie is 15 years old, I was shocked I hadn’t given it a go yet, especially knowing it is based on a Stephen King novella (yes, huge fan here). Plus, this cast: wow! I must say, I’m so glad I did watch it, as the story was so, so much more than creepy goings-on and dying townspeople. As always, King’s story got to the heart of the horror in more ways than one, plus add in great directing, top-notch special effects, and acting that’s superb all around and you’ve got yourself a must-see movie.
In small-town Maine, a freak storm one night causes widespread damage. David and Steff Drayton live with their young son Billy, who notices a strange mist advancing toward town the next morning. As David, Billy, and neighbor Brent head into town for supplies in the local grocery store, the mist overtakes people outside, causing them to scream and run in fear and pain. One makes it to the store, where about thirty townspeople then hunker down for basically the whole movie. Here, they must begin to fight not only what is in the mist, but also what is in their hearts and heads, revealing prejudices, how fear grows and turns people against one another, human fallacy, questions of faith, and other issues both big and small. As factions form and the death toll rises from evil both within and without, David knows he must take a final big chance if he is to save himself and Billy.
- Top Scare: People
- Heartbeats: 3 out of 5
- Gore Factor: 3 3/4 out of 5
- Scare Factor: 2 3/4 out of 5
- Recommended for: 16 and up