Movie Type: Psychological Thriller, Childhood Drama
Themes: Fantasy Life, Mind Games
Main Cast: Ben Keyworth, James Fox, Paul McGann, Fanny Ardant, Clare Holman, Robert Stephens
Release Year: 1992
Country: UK/FR
Run Time: 91 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
A young boy comes to fear that his blind mother may become the next victim of a serial killer in this complex psychological thriller. Unfolding at first as a traditional suspense tale, the film follows the terrified boy's attempts to determine the killer's identity, a task his policeman father has failed to achieve. Things take a more provocative and puzzling turn when the boy's penchant for fantasy is revealed, forcing the audience to question whether what has been shown has been real or merely a product of the boy's imagination. As a result, much of the anxiety in Afraid of the Dark emerges not from the violent shocks, but from the uncertain reality and the tantalizing, disturbing hints of the child's psychology. This purposeful ambiguity may strike some viewers as confusing and alienating, despite the film's assured performances and striking imagery. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Review
A film that is likely to divide people along pretty rigid lines, Afraid of the Dark at least deserves credit for trying to be something different. That won't be enough for many, who will find it much too slow, incredibly confusing and ultimately unsatisfying. But for those who "get" the film, Dark will be a very rewarding experience. Dark is set up to frustrate most of the audience; starting out as one kind of very familiar (and chillingly effective) thriller, it abruptly switches gears entirely in the middle and becomes a psychological study of a very different sort. Those who can deal with this change will find Dark a fascinating study, not only of a young boy in the throes of a difficult psychological situation but of the art of filmmaking itself. Ideas about identity, character, truth, reality and motivation are shaken and questioned in what some will find an absorbing manner. These same people will also probably appreciate a degree of artificiality in portions of the performances and of underplaying by the young lead actor, an appreciation that will not be shared by detractors. Enigmatic and disturbing, Dark is not for everyone, but will be embraced enthusiastically by those with whom it does resonate. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Susan Wooldridge - Lucy Trent; Niven Boyd - Ice-Cream Man; Frances Cuka - Mrs. Dalton; Gerard Dimiglio - Wedding Guest; Rosalind Knight - Edith Simpkins; Hilary Mason - Basement Woman; Struan Rodger - Window Cleaner; Ed Stobart - Police Driver; Gwyneth Strong - Blind Mother with Baby; Cassie Stuart - Red Head; David Thewlis - Tom Miller/Locksmith; Frederick Treves - Eye Surgeon; Sheila Burrell - Meg; Jeremy Flynn - Jim Gilbert; Laurence Harrington - Mr. Lewis/Man with Centerfold; Colleen Passard - Nurse With Knitting; Catriona MacColl - Blind Woman
Credit
Stephen Scott - Art Director, Paul Cridlin - Boom Operator, Lucy Boulting - Casting, Caitlin Rhodes - Casting, Louise Stjernsward - Costume Designer, Jonathan Benson - First Assistant Director, Mark Peploe - Director, Scott Thomas - Editor, Laurie Parker - Executive Producer, Jean Nachbaur - Executive Producer, Joan Carpenter - Hair Styles, Nick Daubeny - Location Manager, Richard Hartley - Composer (Music Score), Jason Osborn - Composer (Music Score), Sallie Evans - Makeup, Dominique Pinto - Camera Operator, Caroline Amies - Production Designer, Bruno de Keyzer - Cinematographer, Mary Richards - Production Manager, Simon Bosanquet - Producer, Sylvaine Sainderichin - Producer, Robin O'Donoghue - Sound Mixer, Tony Jackson - Sound Recordist, Martin Grace - Stunts Coordinator, John Markwell - Special Effects Supervisor, Mark Peploe - Screenwriter, Belinda Chapman - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Kate Barton - Unit Publicist, Jennifer Patrick - Dialogue Coach, Jack Collins - Gaffer, Gary Hutchings - Grip, Richard Broome - Grip, Tommie Manderson - Makeup Supervisor, Andrew Glen - Music Editor, Patsy De Lord - Production Coordinator, Maxie McDonald - Properties, Julie Robinson - Script Supervisor, Melvin Lind - Second Assistant Director, Simon Mein - Still Photographer, Mark Auguste - Supervising Sound Editor, Shirley Shaw - ADR Editor, Sophia Müller - Art Department Assistant, Dominic Masters - Assistant Art Director, Martin Lee - Assistant Location Manager, Ron Watkins - Assistant Location Manager, Jeremy Child - Assistant Sound Editor, Jill Quertier - Buyer, Richard Fettes - Dialogue Editor, Graham Holley - Electrician, Terry Townsend - Electrician, Peter Wing - Electrician, Val Farmer - First Assistant Accountant, Jeremy Gibbs - First Assistant Editor, Michele Tandy - Production Accountant, Rona Buchanan - Second Assistant Editor, Andrew Palmer - Set Dresser, Barry Arnold - Set Dresser, John Jordan - Focus Puller, Jean-Hugue Oppel - Focus Puller, Trevor Wright - Runner, Susie Harmsworth - Runner, Anthony Ford - Third Assistant Director, Ciaran Donnelly - Carpenter, Martin Duffy - Carpenter, Peter Duffey - Carpenter, David John Kelly - Carpenter, Charlie Cottrell - Painter, John Hersey - Painter, Michael Hersey - Painter
