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The Fog

Play trailer Poster for The Fog R 1980 1h 29m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Strange things begin to occurs as a tiny California coastal town prepares to commemorate its centenary. Inanimate objects spring eerily to life; Rev. Malone (Hal Holbrook) stumbles upon a dark secret about the town's founding; radio announcer Stevie (Adrienne Barbeau) witnesses a mystical fire; and hitchhiker Elizabeth (Jamie Lee Curtis) discovers the mutilated corpse of a fisherman. Then a mysterious iridescent fog descends upon the village, and more people start to die.
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The Fog

The Fog

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Critics Consensus

A well-crafted return to horror for genre giant John Carpenter, The Fog rolls in and wraps viewers in suitably slow-building chills.

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Critics Reviews

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Vincent Canby New York Times 01/30/2020
Unlike Halloween, which was a model of straight-forward terror and carefully controlled suspense, The Fog is constructed of random diversions. Go to Full Review
Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 01/29/2020
It's a failure, but it's a failure in the right direction. Go to Full Review
Will Lawrence Empire Magazine 01/29/2020
4/5
Ghoulish, tense and utterly fantastical, John Carpenter's tale of shipwrecked spectres squelching their way through a fluorescent fog to wreak vengeance on a seaside town is a classic campfire yarn. Go to Full Review
Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger 1d
Anyone who has ever thrilled to a ghost story will have a fine, scary time with "The Fog." Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 12
4/5
A spooky ghost story that is elevated by the moody atmosphere and sinister score. Go to Full Review
Grant Hermanns Screen Rant Feb 20
7/10
John Carpenter's The Fog may not have aged as well as some of his other horror classics, but it still generally overcomes most of its issues. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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10/16/2022 A true classic that relies on a good story and score rather than CGI and gratuitous gore. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch 5d The Fog is a strong example of classic horror storytelling from an earlier era. While it isn’t particularly scary by today’s standards, it’s undeniably compelling and creative. The film relies more on atmosphere and mood than outright fear, which was common for horror movies of its time, and it works in its favor. What stands out most is the storytelling. The narrative is clear, focused, and consistent, allowing the mystery to slowly unfold without feeling rushed or sloppy. The film builds tension through suspense and eerie visuals rather than shock value, keeping the audience engaged even if it never fully terrifies. Visually and tonally, the movie does feel old, and that may limit its appeal for modern viewers expecting fast pacing or intense scares. However, that age also gives it charm. The creativity and craftsmanship are still present, and the atmosphere remains effective. The Fog isn’t perfect, but it’s watchable, well-made, and historically important. See more Nick B @Yoshmin64 Dec 5 The Fog is a classic ghost story from John Carpenter and one of his most underrated films. Its simple but effective premise follows a coastal town haunted by the vengeful ghosts of sailors wronged a century earlier, returning within a glowing, unnatural fog. Th cast is also fantastic with Adrienne Barbeau as a stands out as Stevie Wayne, the tough radio DJ who becomes the film’s emotional anchor. Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins, Hal Holbrook, and Janet Leigh also deliver memorable performances that help ground the supernatural story. Carpenter builds a chilling mood with eerie lighting and unsettling visuals, especially the massive fog bank drifting toward the lighthouse. His slow-burn direction makes even small moments feel tense. Carpenter’s haunting synth score is another highlight, giving the film its unmistakable ghostly vibe. Overall, The Fog is a stylish, atmospheric horror tale that deserves far more recognition. Personally, I think it’s even better than Halloween. See more Robert D Nov 27 An underrated and well made ghost story from John Carpenter. I think the cast helps to make the movie as good as it is such as Hal Holbrook, Tom Atkins, and Adrienne Barbeau. The chilling music by Carpenter also makes so effecting. All in all, The Fog is one of the best ghost stories that get my highest recommendation. See more BTW Nov 19 The distraction of Tom Atkins + Jamie Lee Curtis' forgettable story aside, I prize/praise this movie for Barbeau's mesmeric tones and the complete atmospheric embrace -- something on which this genre should thrive but rarely comes anywhere close to nailing. See more Zeferino P @Z6fP6ral6s Nov 2 Not my favorite John Carpenter film It’s a good Halloween time movie See more Read all reviews
The Fog

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Movie Info

Synopsis Strange things begin to occurs as a tiny California coastal town prepares to commemorate its centenary. Inanimate objects spring eerily to life; Rev. Malone (Hal Holbrook) stumbles upon a dark secret about the town's founding; radio announcer Stevie (Adrienne Barbeau) witnesses a mystical fire; and hitchhiker Elizabeth (Jamie Lee Curtis) discovers the mutilated corpse of a fisherman. Then a mysterious iridescent fog descends upon the village, and more people start to die.
Director
John Carpenter
Producer
Debra Hill
Screenwriter
John Carpenter, Debra Hill
Distributor
RCA/Columbia, AVCO Embassy Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
AVCO Embassy Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 8, 1980, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 26, 2018
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$69.5K
Runtime
1h 29m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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