Film Review: "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" (2019).

"Based on the iconic book series." This is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. This horror film directed by André Øvredal, adapted by Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman, and based on the children's book series of the same name by Alvin Schwartz. It’s 1968. Change is blowing in the wind… but seemingly for removed from the wires in the cities is the small town of Mill Valley where for generations, the shadow of the Bellows family has loomed large. It is in their mansion on the edge of town that Sarah, a young girl with horrible secrets, turned her tortured life into a series of scary stories, written in a book that has transcended time - stories that have a way of becoming all too real for a group of teenagers who discover Sarah’s terrifying home.

Since its publication in 1981, Schwartz's children's book series terrified generations of children with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1984), and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones (1991). As of 2017, the books had collectively sold more than seven million copies, and appeared on numerous childrens' best-seller lists. They have collectively been hailed as a "cultural touchstone for a generation," with the original charcoal and ink artwork by Stephen Gammell often singled out for praise. They have also frequently been the subject of criticism from parents and social groups who consider them inappropriate for children. In 2013, CBS Films acquired the rights to the book series with the intent of producing it as a potential feature film. In 2014, it was announced that writer John August had been hired to pen the script. In mid January 2016, it was announced that Guillermo del Toro would develop the film, as well as possibly direct and produce. In February 2016, screenwriting brothers duo Dan and Kevin Hageman were hired to polish the draft written by August. In December 2017, it was reported that André Øvredal would direct the film instead of del Toro. The film would be an international co-production between United States and Canada with CBS Films and Entertainment One co-financing the film. By late August 2018, Zoe Colletti, Michael Garza, Austin Abrams, Gabriel Rush, Austin Zajur, Natalie Ganzhorn, Dean Norris, Gil Bellows, Lorraine Toussaint, Javier Botet, Troy James, Andrew Jackson, and Mark Steger rounded out the film's cast. Around the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in early November. Filming took place in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Terrific performances were given by the cast, especially by Colletti, Garza, Rush, Zajur and Ganzhorn, who were reminiscent that of the performances of the performances and characterisations of 1980s Amblin films.

A deftly crafted horror tribute to the celebrated children's book series, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark hits all the genre marks with gusto and old fashioned suspense. I can't imagine a single horror fan that won't fall head over heels in love with it. Scary Stories is a scary blast indeed.

Simon says Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark receives: