Based on the 1973 telefilm that producer Guillermo del Toro believes to be the scariest TV production ever made, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark tells the story of Sally, a young girl who moves to Rhode Island to live with her father and his new girlfriend while they finish restoring a 19th Century mansion. One day, while roaming the grounds, Sally discovers a hidden basement, one that holds creates who want nothing more than to make Sally one of their own!
While I have never been a huge fan of paranormal horror I must admit that director Troy Nixey was successful in crafting a truly unique and devilish film that does not disappoint. The slow, somber build up is antagonizing as we hope for the best but silently prepare for the worst. And even as the inevitable begins to come true, you still sit in bewilderment as the story unravels before your eyes.
Both Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce did a fantastic job in their respective roles, compensating for the lack of depth presented by our leading lady Bailee Madison. It wasn't that Bailee preformed badly in her portrayal of Sally, but rather that her tone and demeanor was consistent throughout the entire film, never truly adapting to the situation at hand. We never felt sorry for her, but rather just curious about her final fate.
The most fascinating aspect of the entire film rests within the unknown. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark returns to vintage scare tactics, using music and your own imagination against you as you long for answers. By the end you will have what you wanted, but as you exit the theater your mind will be anything but clear.
