Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark directed by Troy Nixey

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
Rated R

Summary: A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.

My Review: "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark" is a remake of the 1973 made-for-television movie that starred Kim Darby. What drew me to this film was simply one name - Guillermo Del Toro. With the hopes that Del Toro would create another film on the level of his other movie, 2006 "Pan's Labyrinth," I was giddy in anticipation. For those who are not familiar with Del Toro, suffice to say that he enjoys interpreting folklore and fairy tales in a dark manner. Not only did he write the screenplay, but Del Toro also produced the film. In a previous interview, he explained that he did not want to direct the film as well, for fear of it simply becoming a repeat of "Pan's Labyrinth." Yet, after seeing the movie I really wish he had directed the film and would have rejoiced at a revision of Del Toro's famous Labyrinth film. Though I appreciated the unique twist on this horror film about homunculus, I did not appreciate seeing them.

The film opens with a brief background story of the original owner of the mansion, Emerson Blackwood and the grotesque means that he goes to in an attempt to get his missing son back. In dealing with creatures unknown, his arrangement is denied with an unfavorable ending.

Once the house has fallen to decay and disarray, we then flash forward to present day and meet a young girl (Bailee Madison), who is sent to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and soon-to-be stepmother (Katie Holmes). The couple is in the process of renovating an old historic mansion in the hopes of it being featured on the cover of an architectural design magazine. With the arrival of the young child comes an awakening of hunger that has laid dormant underneath the home; it is the child they want and will stop at nothing until they get her.

The story behind the film is one of mythological creatures, revealed in a scary and whisper-like atmospheric manner but soon loses its effect as we come to see the creatures in action. I have to admit that they were much creepier and terrifying when you could not see them, for fear of the unknown, as opposed to the little monsters they really were and could probably punt like a football. In the end, the movie was just average for me and I think that it would definitely be best watched in the comfort of your home. I say skip this one and wait for it on DVD.

Cast and Credit: 

Directed by Troy Nixey

Katie Holmes-Kim

Guy Pearce-Alex

Bailee Madison-Sally