Following a violent thunderstorm, artist David Drayton and a small group of survivors find refuge within a supermarket when their town comes under vicious attack from creature lingering with a thick mist. Though many people blame the top secret military base nearby there is no sure cause, and unfortunately the mist's origins are the worst of the survivor's problems. All searching for some answers many turn to a self proclaimed profit, leaving those behind to stand together and fight both the mist and each other.
Mist starts out rough as it drags due to broken dialogue, over dramatic acting and uneventful confrontation. But after about fifteen minutes all that Is forgotten as the film takes a sudden turn and brings strong characterization and suspense, creating one of the best sci-fi thrillers of the year.
The film's true strong pole is that of Marcia Gay Harden who plays the "˜villainous' Mrs. Carmody. Carmody is a self proclaimed speaker of God, proclaiming that the mist is God's work and vowing that until every one of them finds the Lord, they are all doomed for death. Her creepy approach to the mist and the effect that she has on the other survivors adds a must needed haunting aspect to the film. Harden plays Carmody to perfection bringing to life a woman full of mystery, religion and deception.
In addition to Harden, Director Darabont works hard to capture every emotion and speck of intensity as he brings another one of Stephen King's beloved stories to the big screen. Must like his earlier adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption, Darabont sells his work by telling a story rather than relying on special effects and generic "˜scary tactics.' The opportunities are there, but the film replies more on the anticipation of what could happen rather than what actually happens. The result is pure brilliance, creating a film that is more intense than scary.
However none of these promises can prepare you for what happens in the last five minutes of the film. Filling you with intensity, emotion and ultimately tragedy, The Mist comes together like never expected, giving your spine tingles and staying with you long after you exit the theatre. The film is strong; an all around climatic journey through the unbelievable, and with a surprising and astonishing ending, the film is definitely worth seeing.
