The Mist

Jul 4 2008 The Journal

(1hr 50mins) Starring: Thomas Jane, Nathan Gamble, Marcia Gay Harden. Director: Frank Darabont

WRITER-DIRECTOR Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) delves once more into author Stephen King’s twisted imagination for a skin-crawling thriller about a small town under siege from bloodthirsty creatures.

However, beneath the violent horror, King’s story masterfully probes the darkest recesses of the human condition.

At times, this chills to the bone as characters are held hostage by fear and paranoia.

In the aftermath of a storm, Bridgton, Maine, is submerged in choking mist. Illustrator David (Thomas Jane) and son Billy (Nathan Gamble) seek refuge in a supermarket run by Ollie, which is full of familiar faces, including cashier Norm (Clive Owen).

Although it may lack the emotional wallop of Darabont’s previous Oscar-nominated work, the film seeps under our skin.

Some visual effects aren’t great and some supporting characters are thinly sketched, but the downbeat finale takes the breath away.