Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark Review

• 21st Feb 2012

Lonely, disturbed, 8-year-old Sally (Bailee Madison, Wizards of Waverly Place, Just Go With It) is sent to live in an old Manor that her father, Alex (Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce, Momento), and his girlfriend, Kim (Katie Holmes, The Kennedys, Batman Begins), are renovating. The Manor, which used to belong to renowned painter Lord Blackwood (Garry McDonald, Rabbit-Proof Fence), contains a dark secret, for the deep ash pit at the bottom of the house is home to thousands of evil goblin-like creatures who have a penchant for teeth and children…. and Sally’s arrival has awoken them from their sleep.

While exploring Sally discovers a previously hidden cellar and she finds herself drawn to the old sealed fireplace which seems to be calling to her. After loosening the bolts on the fireplace Sally is discovered by Harris (Jack Thomas, Australia) the caretaker, who warns Sally away from the fireplace and attempts to reseal it. Sadly, it’s too late as Sally’s actions have already unleashed the evil creatures that lurk beneath the house. 

It’s not long before the house is filled with sinister events, Harris is brutally beaten, Kim’s clothes are shredded and destroyed and Sally is attacked in bath. Unfortunately Alex does not believe his daughter, but Kim does and she sets about discovering the truth. But will she uncover the creatures’ ominous agenda before it’s too late?

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is a remake of a 1973 television movie. Having not seen the original this reviewer is not going to compare the remake to the original. However, in an era where torture porn and graphic violence are run of the mill this horror story seems innocent, almost childish. In fact it is highly unlikely that adults will find this film even remotely creepy and the CGI creatures seem designed to terrify children rather than adults. However, the graphic and cringe worthy opening scenes of this film make it very clear that this is not a film suitable for, or aimed at, children.  

Regardless of whether or not this film is frightening it is certainly well filmed and the set is beautiful, which is exactly what you would expect with Del Toro as Producer. In fact some of the scenes are very reminiscent of The Orphanage, although the similarities end there.

The characters are likeable and you genuinely hope they’ll escape a nasty fate; this can be attributed in no small part to great performances by all three leads.  Guy Pearce is, as always, up to his usual standard which happens to be excellent,  Katie Holmes is believable and sympathetic and Bailee Madison is an accomplished actor for someone so young, who manages to be both convincing and likeable without being saccharine or irritating (take note Thomas Horn).

For me this film was somewhere between charming and bland. The Del Toro credit is misleading as this is actually the second film from Director Troy Nixey (Latchkey’s Lament) , although Del Toro served as Producer on this title and was the driving force behind the remake as he loved the original so much as a child.  So while his influence is certainly present, this film is not in the same league as Pans Labyrinth or The Orphanage, nor is it as effective or creepy as either of the aforementioned films. However, the original was written in 1973 and one can’t help but wonder if this would not be a more frightening film if we had not been desensitised by the likes of Hostel and Saw etc.

The main point of contention with this film is the use of CGI. The CGI is fine, good even, but the design of the creatures depicts them as less menacing than a pack of rats and the use of CGI is not in keeping with the feel of the film, the brash animation somehow ruins the atmosphere that Nixey has competently built. But this is a common complaint that could be applied to any film using extensive CGI effects.

Overall Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is not a bad little film, there are just certain aspects that seem to be lacking. If you have the desire to be scared senseless or grossed out by excessive gore then this is probably not the right film for you. However, if you want a good, old-fashioned horror then this film is perfectly competent and does its best to play on childhood fears. And those who can’t bare the combination of violence and teeth might want to watch with caution!

Lindsay Emerson