Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

This is a very good haunted house film. It milks our frustration deliciously.

Some of the knife-twisting later scenes in "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" feel almost campy, like winks at the audience or studious self-referentiality. None of this is quite enough to ruin a gripping, gruesome fable, which of course del Toro's fans and other genre buffs will rush out to see, but it does render the movie a minor muddle rather than a horror masterwork.

Entirely too literal, but it still manages to be a literally hair-raising piece of modern-style old school Gothic horror.

Curled up at home with the lights off and DVD player running, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark might be passable fun. Spread over a movie screen, the film's modest ambition gets dwarfed by expectations, especially after paying for a ticket.

With Del Toro's name in the credits, standard chills aren't enough. We want imagination to run riot.

Rather than trying to frighten adults, this entire R-rated exercise feels engineered to emotionally scar any younger audiences who should happen to see it -- much as the original did del Toro back in the day.

Does Katie Holmes's hubby get script-doctoring rights even on her own film projects? That would explain why Troy Nixey's inane Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, co-written and produced by Guillermo del Toro, at times suggests an anti-Rx PSA.

Young Sally comes to live with her father in a beautiful old estate that he and his new girlfriend have been renovating to resell. Sad and lonely, Sally takes to wandering throughout the house, when she begins to hear whispers calling her to come play. After discovering a hidden doorway that leads her down into a long-forgotten basement, Sally learns of an ancient race of faeries that live deep beneath her new home, but once she releases from their rusty tomb, the creatures terrorize Sally and her family as soon as the lights go out in the house! DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK stands as one of the best Gothic fairy tales since PAN'S LABYRINTH, which shouldn't come as a surprise considering Guillermo del Toro's involvement in the screenplay. Director Troy Nixey has modeled the look of the film after traditional haunted house pictures like THE INNOCENTS, while adding a group of mean-spirited little imps that live off of the blood of children. Their whispers in the dark that beckon Sally to join them are quite chilling, but Nixey takes great care in keeping his creatures hidden until just the right moment... Del Toro's script draws from classic storytelling elements and childhood fears that any viewer can relate to. Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce are each good in their respective roles, but it is Bailee Madison that steals the show as young Sally. Her excitement and terror are heartfelt and real, heightening the emotional impact of the film. The only room left for improvement for newcoming director Troy Nixey lies in subtlety. DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is built on a rising terror, but Nixey also includes a few gratuitous moments of gore that the film could do without. They immediately shift the mood from creepy to shocking, which goes against the carefully-crafted suspense that he has developed. Several unnecessary shots use sweeping camera movements and conspicuous computerization to take us through long corridors and into the ventilation ducts where simple dissolves would have been much more effective. Minor complaints aside, DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is an excellent entry into the Modern Gothic revival that may even top the 1973 original. Beautifully shot and surprisingly scary, it is a must-see for all Horror fans! -Carl Manes I Like Horror Movies

However Del Toro's presence can be felt throughout, and it keeps things entertaining. The soundtrack and the visual style of several scenes are reminiscent of his masterpiece "Pan's Labyrinth." The story as a whole is also very well-done with it's unique twist on the fantasy/folklore figure of childhood (the tooth fairy). It's not hard to get frustrated at how dumb/oblivious the adult characters can be in this, and the movie inspires no fear at all. That being said I still found myself entertained. Del Toro's fairy tale-esque approach to the story is what kept me invested, and it's also cool to see a monster movie that actually gives us a good look at the monsters in question. It may fail to bring any scares thanks to how unthreatening it's antagonists actually are, and at times it can be a little moronic, but as a whole I can say I did enjoy the film. It's worth a rental for horror or Del Toro fans, because Del Toro has written an extremely unique idea. Shame there isn't any fear though.

I have mixed feelings about this movie. The performances were decent (especially, Katie Holmes's, even though I didn't expect it, hers was the only on performance I would call 'good' ) I didn't feel, however, that Baylee Madison was good for this movie. I still remember when Dakota Fanning was about that **** was so charismatic and talented! A real star! Back to the movie: I loved the photography, and the atmosphere was ****, the script fails to deliver. There are a few plot holes, and when the truth is revealed to Kim, it is just too abruptly. That doesn't work in horror or thrillers! I did enjoy this film, but I didn't love it. Paradoxically, unlike other people, I was ok with the ending of the movie and I kind of expected it; that even though I never watched the original film and had no idea about its plot. Still, I acknowledge that a more elaborated ending was required. An observation: Guy Pearce's reaction (as a boyfriend seeing his girlfriend disappearing) was not very credible, a real let down . I would give the movie a 6.5 but I can't so a 6 will do it.

Hahaha!!!! REALLY!!!!! Here is an idea, ummmm tear the wall down and go down that freakin hole with a team of suited men and a sh@*tload of flashlights and kill those little a@%holes!!! Im sorry but this movie did all the typical things that I was hoping it wouldn't. Lets see: 1- don't believe your child and just call her crazy, 2-act like there is some unwritten rule saying the child must remain in her room to sleep at all times even if she is terrified of the boogie man! 3-never ask the important questions like, where did you see these things, should we put a lock on the basement door where the big strong handyman got "accidentally" hurt, why is there a mini creature arm on the library floor or those weirdos in the pictures our daughter took, how about why is the bathroom curtain all shredded up when sally fell into the tub.....I mean the list goes on and on!! Plus why is going to the library more important than "get the girl out of the house", you did go to see Mr handyman for a reason and does the hospital not have nurses that can bandage up cuts properly, old fart is going to die from infection!!! My last complaint(but by far not all of them) **** why do people in times of crisis when needing to leave a home fast pack and fold clothes like they are going on a family vacation! I dont know about you but Im pretty sure if they just walked out the front door they would have all been fine. Ok so another false advertising preview about a haunted creepy home, but it ends up being about a dumba@* father and little gremlin fu@*ers that could be easily punted clear across a room!!!

WTF! really? Boring horror flick I have ever had the displeasure of watching. The previews really made me think how I HAD to see it. But of course I was seriously let down. To the point that i would have rather washed dishes by hand or laundry then be forced to watch this movie and what the heck about the ending???? Boo!