Afraid of the Dark (1992)
-
44% of users liked it
(1,492 ratings)
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… More 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, Rovi
- Directed By
- Mark Peploe
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense
R,
- In Theaters
- May 26, 1993 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 25, 2005
Critic Reviews
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Debut of Mark People (co-writer of Bertolucci's Last Emperor) is a borderline pretentious cerebral thriller, aiming at delving into the inner workings of the mind, but acting by young protag Keyworth and James Fox and Fanny Ardant as his parents is good.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Ben Keyworth
as Lucas
-
James Fox
as Frank
-
Paul McGann
as Tony Dalton
-
Fanny Ardant
as Miriam
-
Clare Holman
as Rose
-
Robert Stephens
as Dan Burns
-
Susan Wooldridge
as Lucy Trent
-
Niven Boyd
as Ice-Cream Man
-
Frances Cuka
as Mrs. Dalton
-
Gerard Dimiglio
as Policeman with Walkie Talkie, Wedding Gu...
-
Rosalind Knight
as Edith Simpkins
-
Hilary Mason
as Basement Woman
-
Struan Rodger
as Window Cleaner
-
Ed Stobart
as Guest who Toasts, Police Driver
-
Gwyneth Strong
as Blind Mother with Baby
-
Cassie Stuart
as Centerfold Woman, Red Head
-
David Thewlis
as Tom Miller/Locksmith
-
Frederick Treves
as Eye Surgeon
-
Sheila Burrell
as Meg
-
Jeremy Flynn
as Jim Gilbert
-
Laurence Harrington
as Mr. Lewis/Man with Centerfold
-
Colleen Passard
as Nurse With Knitting
-
Catriona MacColl
as Blind Woman
