Don't be Afraid of the Dark is a special little film. Marketed as a straight creature-horror film, I found myself expecting a decent thriller with elements of producer Guillermo Del Toro's signature style. Having finally seen the finished product, I can say it's pretty much nothing like the trailer makes it out to be. It's so much more than that.
The film opens in true horror fashion; in an old, creepy house with a young woman terrified at the creaking noises emanating from the basement. Before we know it, the young woman is confronted by Ernest Blackwood, the owner of the creepy mansion. Blackwood is terrified and toothless, his mouth froth with blood. "I'm sorry, I have to do this. You understand?", he cries. Cue Blackwood commiting a horrific act (one which really sets the tone of the piece and will get audiences wincing in fear) to the young woman and there you have it; the film begins. Flash forward an unknown length of time and Sally (played by the wonderful Bailee Madison) is about to move in with her estranged father (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend (Katie Holmes). They've been busy renovating the same creepy mansion in hopes of landing the cover of Architect's Digest, so as Sally's father's career will finally take off. Immediately put off by the house, it's not long before our heroine, Sally, finds a basement her father never knew existed. And what she finds in the basement is the same thing that made Ernest Blackwood commit such horrible acts all those years ago.
It's a neat story and it hits each target with ease and a quickening pace. It's not long before we see Sally interact with the things from the basement and it's all for the better. Instead of playing with lighting to hide the creature(s), the film is more interested in introducing them as quickly as possible and then building on their mythology and background. Sure, some may argue that seeing the monster is always anti-climactic, but that's not the case in Don't be Afraid of the Dark. You'll have an idea from the get-go what the things look like and once you do see them, they're wonderfully bizarre and freaky.
As this is produced by Del Toro, there are comparisons being drawn to his own film, Pan's Labyrinth, but the truth is the two are entirely different beings. This film is much more of a creature-feature told through the eyes of an innocent little girl. It's got plenty nastiness for the older cinema attendee, but Don't be Afraid of the Dark would be a great introduction to the genre for kids these days. It tackles the frustrations of childhood (when you can't seem to get anyone to really listen to what you have to say) and the themes of loneliness, fear and isolation (all of which we dealt with regularly as children).
Director Troy Nixey has cast the film perfectly, as each actor gives a fine performance, especially our lead Bailee Madison. Sally is our eyes and ears for the entire 99 minutes, so it's important for her to capture the fear and anger that comes with her role, and she absolutely kills it in each scene. After this, I'm expecting big, big things for her.
That's about all I'm willing to say on the film, as I went in pretty much totally oblivious to what the film was (except for the aforementioned trailer) and it's the way I think everyone should approach the film. Just know that it's creepy, scary, funny and totally charming. And I really look forward to seeing it again.
