Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsIntense character study with some solid action and true horror that doesn't disappoint
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023
If you're the kind of viewer who likes character studies that don't bog you down in character, but seamlessly blends in the action of the story, The Mist is a good one for you. Stephen King's The Mist is well done here, bringing to this terrifying life a well rounded and excellent cast facing the fear of an unknown monster rising out of a MIST that has moved in over this town. Taking the time to give us a cast of characters - people - who's personalities, weaknesses and strengths are put to a test in a group setting, reminds easily of any movies, book, or experience of group dynamics put to the test. This The Mist is well done and one of the best interpretations of a King story out there. It's up there with Rose Red, The Langoliers, and King's own remake of The Shinning. For me it's the characters; an outstanding insight into human emotion, action, and reaction in the face of fear - what King does best.
In a stellar cast led by Thomas Jane with the outstanding Marcia Gay Hardin in one of her best, albeit horrible portrayals, others here bring people to life we all know and perhaps are in our own lives. As The Mist moves into town, these folks are trapped in a grocery store - a brilliant location for the setting of a couple days in a horror film - all kinds of personality comes to light and all kinds of ways to face down the demons, both inside and out of each person. As things grow worse our band of merry humans must decide how they'll deal with the death waiting outside and the growing panic within. NO SPOILERS here, the ending is pure King and if you've made it this far in the film, it'll leave you considering your own life and others and what you would do in ways that are thought provoking and fear inducing. But brilliant.
I am not the kind of fan of "horror" that likes the blood and gore kind of stuff. I'll watch it, but I much prefer the intelligence of thought provoking. I feel its grip can be far more intense and far deeper than "simply giving us blood and gore." That's not to say I won't watch that kind... and there is some solid gore here, don't worry. It's that I like the observations around thoughtful horror - it's far scarier and more real.
This is a great date night movie, rainy afternoon, or even that scare-you-to-death fun of horror. The Mist is pure King at his and it's finest.