36 Years Later, This Forgotten John Carpenter Horror Is Still a Masterclass in Suspense
Avoiding blood and jump scares, the director creates a chilling atmosphere and explores historical guilt.
In the shadow of the resounding success of Halloween, another significant work by horror master John Carpenter is often overlooked. His 1980 movie The Fog didn't spawn a cult killer or a new wave of imitators.
However, nearly four decades later, it's clear that The Fog is more than just a classic horror movie about vengeful ghosts, it's a subtle, meditative, and intellectual work that truly exemplifies suspense.
What Is 'The Fog' About?
The story takes place in the small coastal town of Antonio Bay, which is preparing to celebrate its centennial. However, the celebratory bustle is interrupted by the arrival of a strange, dense fog that brings with it a supernatural threat.
It turns out that the town's founding a century ago is shrouded in a dark secret. Its first inhabitants deliberately sent a ship carrying lepers, led by the wealthy philanthropist Blake, to certain destruction to seize its gold.
On the eve of the anniversary, the ghosts of the dead sailors emerge from the fog to exact brutal revenge on the descendants of the conspirators.
'The Fog' Is More Than Your Typical Horror Movie About Vengeful Ghosts
John Carpenter uses the form of a genre film to make a serious sociophilosophical statement, which is characteristic of the New Hollywood era.
The director masterfully reveals the mechanics of collective deception, showing how a group of murderers can transform into legendary "founding fathers" while an inconvenient truth is hushed up.
The Fog evokes dual fear. There's not only the primal terror of the unknown lurking in the white shroud, but also a deeper existential fear of being punished for unredeemed historical guilt.
Even 3 Decades Later, 'The Fog' Remains a Relevant, Suspenseful Work That Was Ahead of Its Time
Instead of shocking the audience with gory scenes and detailed monster depictions, Carpenter creates a haunting atmosphere.
He uses a slow, almost hypnotic rhythm, panoramic and smooth tracking shots, and a monotonous, oppressive electronic soundtrack he composed himself. Ghosts appear briefly, like flashes of memory, and scenes of violence lack naturalism.
This minimalism and emphasis on psychological tension over physical horror make The Fog a direct precursor to modern slow burners – horror movies that value mood over shock.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Fog'?
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The Fog has 76% from critics and 65% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.8/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Fog scored 3.5/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Fog'?
The Fog is available to stream on Shudder.
