DVD review (region 1)
Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher
Release date Out now

Trapped in a supermarket that is enveloped by a supernatural mist, shoppers must decide whether to wait it out or leave as they become gripped by religious fervour…

It’s not often that the cover of a DVD warrants a mention in a review, but Frank Darabont’s first-rate version of Stephen King’s novel comes with a major caveat. DON’T look at the cover. Not only does it give away a few of the film’s surprises, it also blows the best shot of the entire picture (hence our exclusion of the pack shot image!). The Mist is a film that truly relies on its audience going in with as little information about the story as possible.

The film itself is a beautifully constructed apocalyptic horror with some impressive performances. At first, Thomas Jane appears to be miscast as a poster artist, but over the course of the narrative he becomes a convincing presence as he fights to protect his son.

Marcia Gay Harden, as a religious nutcase who starts to win over followers to her cause, lends gravity to a role that lesser actresses would have played far too broadly. Even the smaller roles, such as Sam Witwer’s soldier who finds himself powerless to stop events spiralling out of control, are expertly played, giving the film a full array of truly compelling characters whose fate becomes hugely important as the narrative progresses.

The DVD presents us with a choice of two versions of the movie – the studio’s colour version and the director’s black and white take. It’s perhaps no surprise that Darabont’s stark, and at times harrowing, narrative is best served by the noirish black and white tones. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 9/10
Stephen King is rarely served well on celluloid, but this gripping and unforgettable movie is a definite success.