The only thing we ever wanted from the Guillermo del Toro-produced demon-kidnapping film Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark was for it to be straight-up terrifying. But the movie's first review claims it's not just super-scary, it's actually really good.
Spoilers ahead...
The LA Times went to an early screening of the Troy Nixey-directed horror movie, which GDT produced and co-wrote. While it's not a terribly long critique, it's all overwhelmingly positive. The film is about a man, his girlfriend and his daughter, who all move into a Rhode Island manor, which is infested with demons. While tiny demons don't always give us the chills, we were confident that GDT would find a way to make them frightening. Sounds like he did:
While there are plenty of jump-out-of-your-seat moments, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is distinguished by its restraint and creative use of sound. We've all seen countless fright flicks where creaking floors create suspense, but how many have used whispers - "Come down to the basement and play with us" - to equal effect?
The reviewer goes on to say that Dark isn't all jump-out-of-your-seat scares. It sounds like the psychological fear is balanced with the physical shocks. Sums up the reviewer: "In other words, 100% Del Toro."
Sadly, the film won't be released until April of 2011.