Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) is a chilling American horror film that blends elements of supernatural terror with nostalgia, based on the classic children’s book series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. Directed by André Øvredal and written by Dan and Kevin Hageman, the film brings to life a selection of disturbing tales that have haunted readers for decades. It successfully captures the essence of Schwartz’s iconic stories, while adding a contemporary twist, making it both a homage to the original books and a modern horror experience. The movie expertly balances scares with heart, allowing it to resonate with both fans of the source material and new audiences unfamiliar with the stories.

The film is set in the late 1960s in the small town of Mill Valley, a place haunted not just by ghosts, but by a sinister history. The story follows a group of teenagers who stumble upon a mysterious book of stories, which turns out to be far more than just a collection of scary tales. The book has the power to write its own stories, and each new tale it creates comes to life, manifesting as terrifying creatures that hunt down the teens one by one. What begins as a typical horror narrative about a group of friends being stalked by vengeful spirits soon evolves into a story of bravery, friendship, and uncovering dark secrets.

At the heart of the film is Stella Nichols (Zoe Colletti), a teenager with a love for horror stories and a curiosity that leads her and her friends into the heart of the mystery. Stella and her friends—Auggie (Gabriel Rush), Chuck (Austin Zajur), and Ramón (Michael Garza)—find themselves in the possession of a book that once belonged to Sarah Bellows (Kathleen Pollard), a long-dead girl who is said to have written the stories that torment the people of Mill Valley. The book’s stories begin to write themselves, and the characters from the tales come to life, terrorizing the group. As the story unfolds, the group must figure out how to stop the horrors, uncover the mystery of Sarah Bellows, and ultimately protect themselves and the people they love from the terrifying creatures that emerge from the pages.

The movie cleverly weaves in some of the most famous and terrifying stories from Schwartz’s books, such as “The Big Toe,” “The Red Spot,” “The Haunted House,” and “The Pale Lady,” with each tale featuring its own creature or horror that adds an unsettling atmosphere to the film. The directors and writers do an excellent job of blending elements of these short, eerie stories into a larger, overarching narrative that ties everything together. The creatures themselves, brought to life with excellent practical effects and CGI, are grotesque and genuinely unsettling. From the horrifying Pale Lady to the monstrous jester-like figure from “The Big Toe,” each creature is distinct, adding a new layer of terror to the film as the teens are forced to confront them.

One of the most notable aspects of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is its atmosphere. Øvredal, known for his work on The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016), brings a masterful touch to the film’s aesthetic. The cinematography is dark and brooding, with muted colors and ominous lighting that create a sense of dread from the very first frame. The film is not overly reliant on jump scares, but instead builds a slow-burning tension that keeps the audience on edge. The pacing is effective, allowing the film to gradually build suspense while letting the characters breathe and develop. Øvredal uses shadows and dimly lit spaces to his advantage, keeping the creatures just out of view for much of the time, which heightens the sense of unease.

The movie also touches on themes of guilt, fear, and the desire for revenge. Sarah Bellows, the vengeful spirit at the center of the story, is a tragic figure who was wrongly accused of causing harm to the people in Mill Valley. The film explores how her mistreatment led to her eventual death, and how the horrors she unleashed are not just about random malevolent forces but a direct response to the pain and injustice she suffered. The idea that the stories are not simply told but are “written” by the book in a way that forces the characters to relive the horror of their past is a chilling concept that adds depth to the film’s supernatural elements.

The ensemble cast, led by Zoe Colletti as Stella, does an excellent job of making the film’s emotional beats resonate. Colletti brings a sense of vulnerability and determination to her role as the central protagonist, who is not only trying to survive the horrors that unfold but also grappling with the loss of her mother and her strained relationship with her father. The camaraderie between Stella and her friends provides the emotional core of the film, and their journey together to solve the mystery adds a layer of warmth amidst the terror. The character of Ramón, played by Michael Garza, also stands out. He is an outsider in Mill Valley, having recently arrived in town, and his backstory, which touches on themes of displacement and identity, adds depth to his character. His friendship with Stella and her group offers a sense of solidarity as they face the supernatural forces threatening their lives.

While the film’s characters are engaging and relatable, the real stars of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark are the terrifying creatures and the stories they come from. The film’s practical effects and makeup work are exceptional, and the attention to detail in designing these monsters is evident. Each creature—from the crawling corpse in the attic to the towering Pale Lady—is designed to elicit both disgust and fear. The film does not shy away from showing these creatures in all their grotesque glory, and their presence on screen is both unsettling and thrilling.

In addition to the terror and emotional depth, the film also strikes a nostalgic tone for audiences who grew up with the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books. Schwartz’s books were notorious for their unsettling illustrations by Stephen Gammell, which were just as frightening as the stories themselves. While the film does not replicate the illustrations exactly, it certainly captures the same haunting vibe, and the inclusion of some visual cues from the book’s art, such as the horrific face in the attic or the grotesque figures in the stories, will delight fans of the books. The film manages to pay tribute to the source material while updating it for a modern audience.

While Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is ultimately a horror film, it also explores the relationships between the characters and their coming-of-age experiences. The friendship between Stella, Auggie, Chuck, and Ramón provides a sense of emotional grounding amidst the supernatural chaos. These relationships are tested as the characters face the terrifying consequences of the stories they’ve unleashed. They must not only fight for their survival but also confront their fears and learn to rely on each other in the face of unimaginable danger. The power of friendship, bravery, and loyalty is woven throughout the film, reminding the audience that even in the darkest of times, unity and trust can provide strength.

The film’s soundtrack, composed by Marco Beltrami, complements the mood of the story perfectly. The music adds a layer of tension, suspense, and even moments of melancholy, helping to convey the emotional and supernatural elements of the narrative. The sound design, too, plays a crucial role in building atmosphere, with creaks, whispers, and sudden noises all adding to the feeling that something terrible is lurking just out of sight.

In conclusion, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) is a highly effective blend of supernatural horror, emotional depth, and nostalgic elements, bringing Alvin Schwartz’s beloved tales to life in a fresh and thrilling way. Directed by André Øvredal, the film expertly balances scares with heart, capturing the essence of the original stories while weaving a compelling narrative of its own. With its memorable creatures, strong performances, and an atmosphere thick with dread, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a film that will both terrify and captivate audiences. It is a worthy addition to the horror genre and a fitting tribute to the stories that have terrified generations of readers.