There are comfort movies that we like to watch every now and then just to relax and feel good. However, there are also movies that although they are great and stunning, you can only watch once. This is due to many factors like tragic scenes, disturbing plots, etc. The Mist (2007) falls into this category. And since the theme for the current Cine TV contest is movies with a surprise, I'd like to enter The Mist into the contest for this movie sure ends with an unexpected bang. š„š
I have fond memories of The Mist since it was during the early 2000s when it came out and DVDs were the hottest new thing in home entertainment. I recognize the lead actor, Thomas Jane, from The Punisher and I often confuse him for Christopher Lambert, although Christopher would have been a lot older during this period.
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I also found it interesting that many of the cast from The Mist went on to do the first season The Walking Dead as well. Turns out, the showrunner for TWD, Frank Darabont, was also the director of The Mist.
Plot
The plot of The Mist revolves around a small town that was suddenly enveloped by a strange mist. The protagonist, David, and his son, Billy, were inside a supermarket getting supplies when the mist engulfed the entire town.
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What initially looked like a harmless natural phenomenon became a horrifying ordeal when the townspeople quickly realized that there were nightmarish creatures lurking inside the mist, killing anyone unlucky enough to be inside of it. The plot is a bit similar to an 80s movie, The Fog, but instead of the undead, the creatures inside the mist are more akin to Lovecraftian monsters.
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I will not go further with the chronological events that happened in the film but instead just focus on the key moments that stuck with me. If by any chance you still haven't watched this movie, I highly recommend having a go at it.
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A memorable scene in the first half of the film involves Melissa McBride's character. When it became clear that the mist was dangerous, she immediately thought of her kids that she left home. Her desperate plea for anyone to accompany her and the people bowing their heads in shame as they chose self-preservation was a particularly emotional moment in the film.
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Then there's the character named Mrs. Carmody who is a religious fanatic. At first, the people inside the store mocked and ridiculed her for spouting religious nonsense. But as the nightmarish creatures slowly encroached on the store and people were losing hope, they eventually believed and followed her out of desperation, throwing logic and sanity out the window. The film mainly emphasizes the weaknesses of the human psyche and how we are quick to discard our morals when our and our loved ones' lives are at stake.
The Surprise
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āļø This exact image right here. This is probably one of the most tragic movie moments I have ever experienced. The silhouette of a tank emerging from the mist on his right, and the bloody vehicle on his left. I'd prefer not to elaborate on this exact scene for those who haven't watched the movie yet. But suffice to say, this had me crying in the fetal position. For those who have watched it, let me know in the comments below how you felt about this ending surprise.
The Second Surprise
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And even before the viewers can process what had just happened, we get a shot of Melissa McBride's character successfully rescuing her children. This is like giving a middle finger to the protagonist who had sacrificed and lost everything. A true jaw-dropping moment right here.
This has been my entry for the latest Cine TV contest. I highly encourage my fellow movie lovers to submit your entries as well. You can learn more about it here.
