A small New England community regroups following a destructive thunderstorm. As many of the citizens gather at the local supermarket for supplies, they watch a massive fog bank move in to surround them on all sides. What they have yet to see is what waits within the mist – unspeakable creatures that kill on sight.
Despite initial doubt and disbelief, the customers come to accept their dire situation, and barricade themselves inside the grocery store. But when a handful of men encounter a monstrosity attempting to enter the building, the panicked people begin to divide into disparate camps. Some of them insist on escape before the things outside find a way in, while others await uncertain rescue. Among the more rational survivors stands a local artist (Thomas Jane) protecting his young son – and fearing for his wife left behind at home. All the while, a middle-aged woman (Marcia Gay Harden) begins a transformation from simple town crazy into full-blown cultist. As her fire-and-brimstone speeches convert a growing congregation, the emotions running wild amidst the survivors may prove just as dangerous as what waits outside.
Stephen King’s lengthy novella is streamlined for the screen, making for a tightly paced thrill-ride – but there’s more than simple funhouse approach involved. In spite of the nasty critters that surface throughout the film, Darabont never forgets that what you see is just as scary as what you don’t. He gives the typical monster-movie archetype a run for its money, layering the story with believable characterization and smart doses of dark humor. The cast does a fine job of selling such a fantastic story, adding needed realism to the outrageous premise. Setting such a horrible fable in the context of consumerism, King was undoubtedly inspired by George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead (which takes place inside a shopping mall).
The social criticism is there if you wish, but what makes The Mist work is that it plays the horror straight, giving audiences a good old-fashioned monster movie. What could have become a cheap homage to Cold-War era terrors turns out to be above-average entertainment for anyone with a strong stomach. And as for the notorious ending, it certainly is a shocker – even for those familiar with King’s source story.
The special edition DVD contains a second version of the film in vivid black and white – a nice option for a second or third viewing, and one that even further showcases affection for the forgotten creature features of yesteryear.