Distributed by Lionsgate, CBS Films and eOne Entertainment (in association with Rolling Hills and Starlight) presents an equally smart and suspenseful thriller with Scary Stories To Tell In the Dark, starring Zoe Colletti and Michael Garza. Based on Alvin Schwartz’s ’80s spooky tale collection, Director André Øvredal (Trollhunter) visually creates a mounting vibe of dread punctuated by clever political jabs.
It’s 1968 in America. Change is blowing in the wind…but seemingly far removed from the unrest in the cities is the small town of Mill Valley where for generations, the shadow of the Bellows family has loomed large. It is in their mansion on the edge of town that Sarah, a young girl with horrible secrets, turned her tortured life into a series of scary stories, written in a book that has transcended time—stories that have a way of becoming all too real for a group of teenagers who discover Sarah’s terrifying home.
5) Zoe Colletti!
Zoe Colletti wonderfully takes the lead with the ensemble cast, which includes the comedic duo Gabriel Rush and Austin Zajur. Colletti captures the heart and mystique within her character, Stella Nicholls. In her coming-of-age tale, Stella (Colletti) is about to discover who she really is, and how many scares she can endure, when she opens the book’s pages.
4) Michael Garza!
Michael Garza portrays so much charisma and personality with his character, Ramón Morales. As Ramón and Stella, Garza and Colletti have such engaging chemistry that jumps off the screen. Not only does Ramón (Garza) participate in the suspenseful sequences, he also has to deal with racism from Chief Turner, played by (Gil Bellows).
3) The Monsters!
The movies kicks it into high gear when Tommy (Austin Abrams) meets Harold The Scarecrow. The moody cinematography by Roman Osin beautifully lights the never-ending corn field. Adding to the creepiness, the lighting lets viewers see through the hole in Harold The Scarecrow’s chest. Natalie Ganzhorn has the best scare of them all with Ruth’s squirmy and cringe-inducing zit.
2) The Direction!
Not only does the screenplay by Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman recreate 60’s Americana, the screen story by Guillermo del Toro, Patrick Melton, and Marcus Dunstan reflects our turbulent times to the past. Director André Øvredal subtly hints at the political commentary that takes aim at fake news, the Flint water crisis, and tricksters sitting in the President’s chair.
1) Scary Stories!
Whiles sustaining the supernatural suspense, Scary Stories To Tell In the Dark has a stellar cast put together. Make sure you stay through the end credits to listen to Lana Del Rey’s awesome cover of “Season Of The Witch.”
Scary Stories To Tell In the Dark arrives in theaters on August 9th, 2019.