After all these years, there’s still something in the mist.
It’s pretty tempting to throw snap judgments at each new genre series that hits the small screen. Yet, when it was announced that Spike (soon-to-be known as the Paramount Network) was working on a new adaptation of Stephen King’s The Mist, I couldn’t help but perk up and take notice.
As the network aims to change its programming slate -- along with that impending name change -- and banks on multiple original series for the coming year, The Mist is their first attempt at testing the proverbial waters. And to fully get myself in the mindset necessary to step back into Stephen King’s supernatural tale, I gave Frank Darabont’s jaw-dropping film a rewatch. Real talk: the new series doesn’t look anything like its 2007 predecessor.
While there is enough foreshadowing featured throughout, giving a glimpse at the horrific threat looming over the town of Bridgeville, Maine, the premiere tends to focus way more on the characters in the town -- and the cliché drama they all seem to find themselves dealing with -- than the mysterious, ominous marine layer that's about to swallow everything up.
Morgan Spector (Boardwalk Empire) and Alyssa Sutherland (Vikings) star as married couple Kevin and Eve Copeland. Unfortunately, the lack of believable chemistry makes it difficult to connect with either character, let alone root for their survival. In fact, there seems to be a sheer lack of character development for everyone involved.
Given that this is Executive Producer Christian Torpe’s American TV debut, it’s quite possible his European sensibilities are still acclimating to this ever-changing, and often fast-paced, “Peak TV” landscape.
The show may skimp on the believability in its characters, but the mystery behind the mist point to a bigger government conspiracy. The military’s involvement -- a detail lightly referenced, but not fully explored in the film -- will likely be enough to keep the audience’s interest initially. But is it enough to keep the story going for a full season? That’s a question we’ll just have to wait and find out, but if CBS’s short-lived Under the Dome is any signifier, it’s that small town Stephen King stories usually buckle under the pressure of poorly developed characters. At least Spike won’t be pulling any punches when it comes to the gore ...
Look, it’s hard not to compare the new series to the original film. But there’s a show, don’t tell quality of the original film’s narrative that found the audience discovering each new detail of this horrific reality in lock step with Thomas Jane’s character, David Drayton. I’m sure the subject matter Spike is presenting won’t be as bleak as the film’s final moments, but there are a few lessons Torpe can learn from the story’s previous adaptation.
By the end of its first hour, this version of the Stephen King tale lacks a main character for the audience to connect with, to experience the trauma with, to engage with and to empathize with. And if that pattern continues beyond the pilot, the show might have a serious problem on its hands.
The Verdict
The Mist may bring some welcome genre clout to Spike, but the new series has its fair share of challenges ahead of it. This new Stephen King adaptation comes equipped with a fair share of formulaic storylines and underdeveloped characters. Still, there is enough mystery and gore to keep the horror fans coming back for more. Will it be enough to tune in for the entire season, though? That’s the question.
The Mist premieres Thursday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Spike.
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