Having made his name adapting crossover-minded Stephen King material (SHAWSHANK, THE GREEN MILE), director Frank Darabont finally embraced the Master of Horror for round three. Our Bleak Week presentation of THE MIST showcases this thoughtful cosmic horror suspense piece in its director-preferred Black & White cut, which readily complements both its Twilight Zone vibes and its mid-00s CGI.

After a powerful storm damages their Maine home, David Drayton (Thomas Jane) and his young son head into town to gather food and supplies. Soon afterward, a thick fog rolls in and engulfs the town, trapping the Draytons and others in the grocery store. Terror mounts as deadly creatures reveal themselves outside, but that may be nothing compared to the threat within, where a zealot (Marcia Gay Harden) calls for a sacrifice.

“By catching his protagonists between equally oppressive horrors, Darabont successfully finds the squelchy heart of King’s story, and keeps it pumping until the ugly end.” – AV Club

About Bleak Week: Presented in partnership with American Cinematheque, ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair’ is an annual film festival showcasing some of the greatest works of cinema from across the globe that venture into the darkest sides of humanity and the bleakest points in human history. The fifth annual edition in June 2026 expands to nearly 100 theaters across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and South and Central America, with each venue presenting its own original curated lineup of uncompromising films defined by unpleasant truths and raw empathy.

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