The Mist - a sci-fi thriller, based on a book by Stephen King

There are not many writers who can completely thrill, traumatize, and even captivate their readers in the manner in which Stephen King has over the past few decades. And it is for the same reason, King’s novels have been adapted into several films, often with great success. Films such as The Shawshank Redemption, It, Carrie, The Shining, and The Green Mile have been lauded as some of the best book-to-film adaptations of all time. However, the 2007 film, The Mist, a sci-fi horror thriller, has not received the same recognition as the aforementioned titles. Welcome to another episode of Lost and Found, i'm your host Nikhil.

Directed by Frank Darabont, who helmed other acclaimed King adaptations such as The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, The Mist is a relatively low budget sci-fi thriller that will keep its audience hooked from start to finish. It follows an unconventional thriller structure where the monsters do not have a lot of screen time. The film focuses more on the plight and the raw human emotions during an existential crisis. The story is set in a local supermarket when the town is engulfed in thick mist. The people inside the store soon realise that there are terrifying monsters lurking in the mist ready to rip them to shreds.

The narrative then shifts focus to how established norms of society soon begin to crumble for the people within the store. Tribalism takes over, and factions such as the religious fundamentalists led by Mrs Carmody, played by Marcia Gay Harden, are formed. Then there are those who are refusing to accept their surreal predicament despite overwhelming evidence, and there are also the realists trying to adapt the best they can with the increasingly volatile situation.

Thomas Jane essays the lead as David Drayton, a father trying to keep his son safe and worrying about the safety of his wife back home. Tobey Jones, Laurie Holden, and Andre Braugher play supporting roles.

The film’s strengths lie in its visual imagery, allegorical and biblical references, thought-provoking narrative, and most significantly, the climatic scene that will forever be etched in the minds of the viewers. It is also one of the rare films where the liberties taken by the filmmaker has elevated the film when compared to the source material.

If you haven't watched this flick yet then do so streaming on LionsgatePlay

Well that's the OTTplay Lost and Found for today, until the next episode its your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Ryan Gomez