Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
Starring: Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes, Bailee Madison
Director: Troy Nixey
Rating: 3/5
It's been a while since we have seen Guillermo del Toro in the director's chair and with new project Don't Be Afraid of the Dark he is back on producing duties - and well as penning the script with Matthew Robbins.
The movie follows Sally (Madison), a young girl who moves to Rhode Island to live with her father (Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Holmes) in the 19th-century mansion they are restoring.
Having stumbled upon the mansion’s hidden basement, Sally starts hearing voices calling out from the bolted ash pit, imploring her to open it.
Sally obliges and unwittingly unleashes something so terrible, so unthinkable, that everyone's life - hers most of all - is placed in immediate and grave danger.
Ok now I am off the belief that not seeing what we and the characters are supposed to fear has a greater impact when the 'villain' is revealed as the suspense and the feel of the unknown is gone.
And,I'm afraid, that is how I feel about this movie once we see the creatures that air of suspense and fear does dissipate somewhat - which is a real shame.
However as with any movie that del Toro seems to have a hand in there is this air of menace than hangs over the beginning of the film as Sally struggles with the changes in her life and with the horror that she has set free into the house.
Bailee Madison delivers a great performance as the troubled Sally who feels unloved and unwanted when she is sent by her mother to live with her father and his new girlfriend.
But as the movie progresses Sally's life becomes one of total fear and Madison gives a very emotional performance that is simply superb.
Pearce and Holmes are also strong - but they are not given too much to stretch them if we are being honest.
Visually the movie is stunning the house is both beautiful and chilling at the same time with some really haunting artwork that just adds to the whole ambience of the movie.
This is a well crafted film that really is creepy and slightly unnerving - but it's the unveiling of the creatures themselves that I do have a bit of a problem with.
Having said this it's a good watch that will keep you hooked - even if the end is a little predictable.
Troy Nixey makes a solid stab in the director's chair but it would have been interesting to see del Toro's take on this story.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw