Afraid of the Dark Plot Summary and Details

Plot

A young boy comes to fear that his blind mother may become the next victim of a serial killer in this complex psychological thriller. Unfolding at first as a traditional suspense tale, the film follows the terrified boy's attempts to determine the killer's identity, a task his policeman father has failed to achieve. Things take a more provocative and puzzling turn when the boy's penchant for fantasy is revealed, forcing the audience to question whether what has been shown has been real or merely a product of the boy's imagination. As a result, much of the anxiety in Afraid of the Dark emerges not from the violent shocks, but from the uncertain reality and the tantalizing, disturbing hints of the child's psychology. This purposeful ambiguity may strike some viewers as confusing and alienating, despite the film's assured performances and striking imagery.

MPAA Rating:

for violence and a scene of sensuality.

Genre(s):

Drama,Thriller

Run Time:

91min.

Theatrical Release Date:

07/24/1992

DVD Release Date:

10/25/2005

Distributor(s):

Rank Film Distributers

Director(s):

Mark Peploe

Starring:

Ben Keyworth , James Fox , Paul McGann , Fanny Ardant , Clare Holman

Themes:

Mind Games,Fantasy Life

Tone:

Claustrophobic,Disturbing,Eerie,Menacing

Keywords:

Native-American,blindness [physical],childhood-adventures,drug-dealer,family,fantasy,father,handicap,high-school,investigation,killing,murder,mutilation,nightmare,peeping-tom,rescue,serial-killer,slasher,sweetheart

Country of Origin:

USA (07-24-1992)

Language:

English