Watch Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a 2019 horror movie that centers on a group of teenagers who stumble upon a cursed book that brings their deepest fears to life. The film is based on a series of short stories by Alvin Schwartz that were popular with children in the 1980s and 90s. Directed by André Øvredal and produced by Guillermo del Toro, the movie features a talented cast that includes Zoe Margaret Colletti, Michael Garza, and Gabriel Rush.

The story is set in the small town of Mill Valley, Pennsylvania, in the late 1960s. We are introduced to Stella (played by Colletti), a young girl who is fascinated by horror stories and spends her free time writing her own. On Halloween night, while out with her friends Auggie (Rush) and Chuck (Austin Zajur), she meets a stranger named Ramon (Garza). The four of them decide to explore a rumored haunted house, where they find a book hidden in a secret room.

The book is the property of the Bellows family, a wealthy and influential clan who lived in Mill Valley many years ago. According to local legend, the Bellows daughter Sarah was locked away in the house because she was disfigured and believed to be dangerous. It is said that she wrote stories in the book that were so terrifying they drove people to insanity. Stella and her friends soon discover that the stories are all too real when they begin to experience strange occurrences and are hunted by monsters from the book.

The movie is well-crafted and skillfully blends suspense, horror, and humor. The filmmakers have done an excellent job of recreating the period details and the tone of the original stories. The use of practical effects and prosthetics gives the movie a refreshingly old-school feel, and the monsters are truly terrifying. The sound design and score are also noteworthy, adding to the overall atmosphere of dread.

The cast is strong and believable, especially Colletti, who carries the emotional weight of the story. Garza brings a nice balance of charm and toughness to the role of Ramon, and Rush and Zajur provide comic relief without going too over-the-top. The supporting cast includes some familiar faces, such as Gil Bellows as Stella's father and Lorraine Toussaint as a town elder with a mysterious past.

One of the movie's strengths is the way it handles the theme of fear. Each of the main characters has a specific fear that is explored throughout the film. Stella is afraid of being alone, Auggie is afraid of bullies, Chuck is afraid of spiders. These fears are not just gimmicks, but are integral to the plot and character development. The movie also touches on the fear of the unknown, the fear of authority, and the fear of death.

Another aspect of the movie that works well is the relationship between Stella and Ramon. Their connection is subtle and understated, and provides a refreshing change from the typical teenage romance. The movie may take place during Halloween, but it is not a typical slasher film. It is more of a coming-of-age story that happens to take place in a horror movie.

Overall, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a well-made and entertaining horror movie that will appeal to fans of the genre and those who grew up reading the books. It has some genuinely scary moments, but also has heart and a sense of humor. It is not just about jump scares and gore, but is about the power of stories and the things that scare us the most.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a 2019 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 61.