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Fear of the Dark (2003)

 -  Horror  -  9 March 2004 (USA)
5.3
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Ratings: 5.3/10 from 2,046 users  
Reviews: 45 user | 17 critic

Twelve year old Ryan Billings has been diagnosed with an acute fear of the dark. He spends each night lying awake in torment, waiting and watching as the evil in the darkness grows stronger... See full summary »

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Title: Fear of the Dark (2003)

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
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Eric Billings (as Charles Powell)
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Derrick Damon Reeve ...
Charles-Etienne Burelle ...
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Storyline

Twelve year old Ryan Billings has been diagnosed with an acute fear of the dark. He spends each night lying awake in torment, waiting and watching as the evil in the darkness grows stronger, feeding off his fear. His older brother Dale, suspects that there is nothing wrong with Ryan and that this is just a ploy for more attention. Regardless, he promises to watch over his little brother as their parents head off to a party for the night. Outside a storm rages and when the power goes out, darkness envelops the house. Ryan knows that tonight the evil has finally come to claim him. Dale desperately tries everything to try and calm him down, until the horrors in the dark make him realize Ryan had good reason to be so afraid! Written by Jocelyn Throop

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Once you believe... you're dead! See more »

Genres:

Horror

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some terror | See all certifications »

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Details

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Release Date:

9 March 2004 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Apolyto skotadi  »

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Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
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Did You Know?

Quotes

[repeated line]
Dale Billings: There's nothing there in the dark that's not there in the light.
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Connections

References Amityville: The Evil Escapes (1989) See more »

Soundtracks

"Ski Bum"
Performed by The Megatones
Written by Shampoo
Courtesy of Disques Merite
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User Reviews

 
Major Childhood Drama Brought to Life!
6 September 2004 | by (USA) – See all my reviews

The gist is, there's this kid who is afraid of the dark. He sees things in the dark that others do not. What culminates from his fear is one of those 'dark and stormy night' scenarios with some very intense moments loaded with suspense.

It's an excellent play on everyone's favorite childhood drama (including the Closet Monster) and the devisive measures kids take to ensure late-night safety (stay completely tucked in). I dare say the evils that await him in the pitch of night are genuinely creative and pretty darn threatening. There are some jumpy moments that renewed my faith in screenwriters and directors of the modern horror genre. I strongly urge all horror geeks to check into this one, even if you don't think it's your cup of tea. It will literally take you back to that time in place in your life when a pile of clothes in the corner of your bedroom was as threatening as the schoolyard bully--only worse!

Sure, this is not a perfect movie but it beats the heck out of the boring horror drivel that's being released these days in theaters. Why this 2002 film was so overlooked is a mystery to me. It was 1,000 times better than 'Darkness Falls' or 'They' and doesn't even compare to crappy films like 'Cabin Fever' or 'House of the Dead'. I checked this one out at a local Blockbuster and if you like things that go bump in the night, you should too!


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