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Picture
After stealing a book from an infamous house in town, a group
​of teens must fight for survival as their worst fears come to life.
HORROR

Scary Stories to
​Tell in the Dark
 
(2019)

​Directed by André Øvredal

Written by Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman, Guillermo del Toro

Starring  Zoe Margaret Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush,
Austin Zajur, Natalie Ganzhorn, Dean Norris, Gil Bellows,
Lorraine Toussaint, Austin Abrams, Kathleen Pollard

Based on the book series by Alvin Schwartz

Connor Eyzaguirre
August 14, 2019
8/10
I had low expectations for this film, and I was very surprised at how creepy and unnerving it was. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is one of the best horror films of the year, and features some imagery that will haunt me for years to come. The performances are all stellar, especially for a group of complete unknowns, and while the plot device of a haunted book has been overused, the way in which this film brings the fear to life is nothing short of mesmerizing.

A group of friends break into a local haunted house and steal a book of scary stories that was supposedly written by Sarah Bellows, a practitioner of black magic who died in the house. Suddenly, their names are appearing in the book with fresh, new stories specific to their deepest, darkest fears. The scariest of these for me was The Pale Lady, a scene that will undoubtedly give me nightmares. It's been a long time since I've felt that stomach-dropping fear from a movie, and this scene alone elevated this film's points for me big time. The other monsters and kill scenes are well-executed and creepy, but The Pale Lady stands alone. Ugh, I'm shuddering just thinking about it.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a surprising horror show that does justice to a beloved series of books and sparks a new horror franchise in the process. I enjoyed how this film brought a freshness to some old ideas, even making the jump scares enjoyable. I sense great things in these kids' futures.
Caleb Leger
August 11, 2019
8/10
Oh, how the announcement of this movie brought back a flood of memories. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the book series, was a huge influence in my youth for my love of the horror genre. It became what is commonly referred to as gateway horror. While the stories were usually just well-known myths and urban legends, it was the illustrations that were nightmare inducing. It was also a cause for lots of controversy. Due to the sometimes gruesome and haunting artwork, the series was banned several times. But the popularity endured to the point that we have this year’s movie adaptation. A movie which I was quite excited for. So, how did it live up?

Right off the bat, this is a movie made by people who clearly love the book series and its effect on thousands of young, horror loving minds. The artwork that was both celebrated and reviled is brought to beautiful life in this film adaptation. The Pale Lady, The Big Toe, and The Jangly Man all look appropriately spooky and gruesome, the highlight being Harold. Considered a poster child for the books, he lives up to that legacy and is part of one of the creepier moments in the film. Much like the book, this film is a gateway for kids, but with a lot more bite. The scares are suitably intense, and characters are actually killed off. So, keep that in mind when bringing kids to this movie. Where it falters, though, is the main story. The cast does a great job and the pace is solid. It’s the basic story. Just like some more recent adaptations, Scary Stories goes the route of the book which is unleashing all the evils on our main characters. It works but is also becoming a cliché at this point.


For the most part, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a solid adaptation of a very influential, and controversial, book series. Yes, it uses a well-worn plot to get the story moving. But it more than makes up for it with some genuinely creepy moments and the clear labor of love that went into bringing these stories to life. With the promise of a sequel by film’s end, I look forward to what the next batch of stories will be that will be adapted.

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Filmgazm is made by movie lovers for movie lovers. We believe in the magic of film and we aim celebrate films of all genres and throughout cinema history, regardless of who's behind the camera or who financed it. We at Filmgazm believe that every film deserves to be reviewed on its own merits and that's what we are here to do. Enjoy the show!
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