Depressed and lonely since her parents’ divorce, young Sally (the fantastic Bailee Madison) becomes the perfect target for murderous beings that dwell in the basement of her father’s (Guy Pearce) home. Preying on Sally’s vulnerability and her father’s belief she’s psychologically disturbed, the light-evading beings slowly seduce Sally, promising her a better life if only she’ll join them.
From the bone-chillingly atmospheric prologue, to the exploration of a disturbed child’s mind, it’s clear why writer and producer Guillermo del Toro wanted to remake the 1973 made-for-tv movie Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark. Based around scuttling, psyche-scarring shadows, the film lends itself brilliantly to the Horrormaster’s trademark techniques of terror; a love of atmospheric settings, eerie lighting and creepy critters.
But neophyte director Troy Nixey shows you his creatures far too early, completely deflating any suspense within the first act. With no surprises left and gnome-like villains proving frankly underwhelming, you are left with a formulaic story riddled with as many outrageous plot-holes. As to Scientologist Katie Holmes starring in an anti-psychiatry film which finds her apprehended by sinister midgets...well, we leave it to you to reach your own conclusions.
From the creatures’ muddled motivations to the unrelenting stupidity of the protagonists, to the lengthy exposition-laden monologues aimed to assist cerebrally-challenged audience members, the film emanates an infuriating laziness. A vicious, terrifying attack on Sally in a darkened bathroom becomes a potential-laden tease, a lingering demonstration of the unsettling atmosphere that could have been achieved had any care been paid to the screenplay.
The title of this film is meant to be a creepily ironic jab; an exercise in reverse psychology; a dare you can’t help but fail. Instead, it becomes merely a simple instruction, one very easily followed. Don’t be afraid of the dark? You won’t be.