NCTJ Newspaper diploma student Adrian Houghton wrote this review on new horror film Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.

1. NCTJ Newspaper journalism course article by Adrian Houghton
Film review by Adrian Houghton: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
Possessed dolls, evil genies and gold-digging leprechauns have been among the more unusual horror
protagonists over the years.
But in Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, we’ve now got weird goblin/tooth fairy things to contend with.
They are similar to the capuchin that Dustin Hoffman was chasing after in Outbreak, just without the fur.
And unlike the capuchin, these creatures also have an unexpectedly good command of the English
language. This is actually one of the scariest parts of the film!
A remake of a 1973 TV movie, it centres on Sally (Bailee Madison), the young daughter of Alex (Guy
Pearce).
She moves into the eerie Victorian mansion of her father and his girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes).
Before long, Sally starts hearing strange voices coming from the basement and decides to investigate.
Proving to be skilled at using work tools, she opens up the fireplace behind which the creatures live.
Initially, they seem friendly. But they quickly become vicious, severely injuring the handyman, Mr Harris
(Jack Thompson).
As the furless capuchins threaten to run amok, Sally realises that she is their next target.
The film resembles a horror from yesteryear, gradually increasing the tension rather than the amount of
blood.
12-year-old Bailee Madison impresses in the lead, bringing sincerity and dignity to the role.
She overshadows many of the experienced cast around her, with Guy Pearce’s performance surprisingly
subdued.
In his feature debut, director Troy Nixey shows flashes of promise. The scene where Sally searches for
one of the creatures beneath her duvet is particularly unnerving.
But too much of the movie is formulaic. As my partner said, ‘Why do these things always start in the
basement?’
Of course, there inevitably follows plenty of dimly lit rooms and shadowy figures.

2. Moreover, the plot of a lonely kid who hears voices but no one believes him/her is already a horror
cliché. As indeed is what happens next – the child being referred to a psychiatrist!
The lack of originality is disappointing, with co-writer Guillermo del Toro unable to replicate his Pan’s
Labyrinth work.
But this is still a solid film that possesses a smart ending.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark:
 UK Release: October 2011.
 Certificate: 15.
 Length: 99 minutes.
 Director: Troy Nixey.
 Cast: Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes, Bailee Madison, Jack Thompson.
NCTJ Newspaper journalism course article by Adrian Houghton