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Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

1973·Movie
1h 14min
67
GoodGoodWatch score

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No stream option in US yet.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark fingerprint

High energy, striking style, light on feelings.

Energy

Scary and tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Scare8
  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Nostalgic

  • Nostalgia7
  • Wonder6
  • Melancholy5

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Absurdist Humor2

World

Fantasy and the mind

  • World Immersion7
  • Novelty7
  • Dialogue Centrality5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Sound Centrality7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Skip it if

You scare easily

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Now you see them, now you don't...now you die.

A young couple inherits an old mansion inhabited by small demon-like creatures who are determined to make the wife one of their own.
1970s HorrorDemonic InvasionClaustrophobic AtmospherePsychological ThrillerSupernatural HorrorIsolation and ParanoiaEerie Old MansionSlow Burn Suspense

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Don't Be Afraid of the Dark legally?

You can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark worth watching?

67
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 67/100 (IMDb 6.5 and Rotten Tomatoes 75%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark rated?

Disturbing imagery

Content advisories: disturbing imagery.

How long is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?

1 h 14 min

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark runs 1 h 14 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?

Critics75
Audiences59

Not quite. Critics rate Don't Be Afraid of the Dark higher (75) than audiences (59). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?

4BRCAINUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark in 4 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Don't Be Afraid of the Dark use?

Hostage for MacGuffinBound and GaggedCreepy BasementDeal with the DevilChekhov's GunAdaptational Nice GuyHistorical HilarityAdaptation Relationship OverhaulGrand Theft MeThe Fair FolkWeakened by the LightCaptain Ersatzand 50 more

TV Tropes lists 62 storytelling tropes for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, including Hostage for MacGuffin, Bound and Gagged, Creepy Basement.