Directed by: André Øvredal
Release date: August 9th, 2019
Rating: 8/10
Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark is a film that takes direct inspiration from Alvin Schwartz' books which are a collection of short horror stories meant for children. While they are children’s books they are definitely terrifying to adults as well. The film takes these stories and, instead of treating them as independent anthologies, strings they together with a plot that sees these stories come to life and torment those that stole the book containing those stories.
While I didn’t care much for the overall plot, I found it a creative way to include some of the most popular short stories in the franchise. The stories themselves serve as centerpiece sequences, each one improving upon the last. Guillermo del Toro produces this movie and I’m glad he did as his trademark practical effects bring the monsters to life. I particularly enjoyed the Pale Lady sequence.
While I enjoyed the movie, I found that whenever there wasn’t a monster on screen I wasn’t enjoying it as much. Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark is a creative monster movie that is very enjoyable, but has some pacing issues as well as an underdeveloped overarching plot.
SPOILERS FOR PALE LADY SEQUENCE!!!!
I very much enjoyed the Pale Lady sequence because it demonstrated that, even if you’re being smart about it and trying everything to avoid getting “got” by the monster, it can still get you. Some of the other sequences, and most horror movies in general, are avoidable if the characters aren’t being straight up stupid. The kid who gets the Pale Lady knows that he needs to avoid red rooms and does everything he can to not go in one. Once the hallways turn red because of the alarm, he tries running away down each hallway, only to be met by the Pale Lady at every turn. It’s scarier to me to see someone do everything right, and still end up dead. Also the slow movement of the Pale Lady in the distance as she keeps getting closer and closer is truly terrifying
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