The Mist (2007) has been on my list for several years, and I finally got around to watching it. And oh boy, I have no idea why I put off watching this film for so long.
It is one of the best cosmic and body horror movies I have ever seen, and I am here to do nothing more than sing its praises.
Note: This review does contain spoilers. You have been warned.
The Beginning
Starting off, The Mist is a slow-burning film, leading you to the horrors revealed in the latter half.
As a storm rolls into Bridgton, Maine, we are introduced to the first of our main characters: David Drayton, his son, Billy Drayton, and their neighbor Brent Norton.
After the storm ends, the three leave for town to get supplies before the other townspeople buy everything.
Everything still seems fine now, other than some mist rolling in from the mountains along the lake.
It isn’t until several minutes after they arrive at the store that everything begins to go downhill. Another main character, Dan Miller, comes racing into the store screaming about things in the Mist.
Finally, the action and true horrors begin to become known. First, it is writhing tentacles with sharp spikes sticking out of every side.
They latch onto your skin, ripping and tearing, until dragging you off to be devoured by whatever creature lies in the mist.
If you thought that was scary, you haven’t even seen the worse of it. Once cosmic horror has entered the picture, next comes some of the worst body horror ever.
Body Horror Out of This World
About halfway through the film, David Drayton, Dan Miller, and several other characters decide to visit the nearby pharmacy.
One of the people in the hospital is slowly dying after a vicious attack from cosmic locusts. Yes, you heard that right. Vicious blood-sucking cosmic locusts attack the supermarket the first night after the Mist rolls in.
The pharmacy is filled with webbing, and the people who were unlucky enough to be there were strung up like flies.
One of these poor people grabs hold of one of Drayton’s group, saying how he can feel them and that he’s sorry.
Warning: If you have serious arachnophobia, do not keep reading!!
Out of the man’s face and chest, a swarm of newly hatched creepy-ass spiders began attacking the group.
The man falls screaming, spiders crawling all over him, only for his entire back to burst open. Hundreds more swarm out of the man, and god, that was some of the most terrifying stuff I have ever seen.
I have watched everything from Green Inferno and Cannibal Holocaust to Mad God. I have seen some of the worst films ever made. But spiders are my weakness, and while it was scary as shit, I loved this movie.
Final Act
The Mist is one of the best horror movies I have seen in a long time. For a late 2000s movie, the acting, quality of the effects, and camera work are spot on.
Suppose you are looking for a great horror movie that combines cosmic and body horror with a gut-wrenching ending. This is the movie for you.
I give it a 10/10 and will be re-watching it. If you liked this article, check out my review of Halloween (2018). Until next time, happy haunting!
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