There Is Something Captivating Lurking In ‘The Mist’

Alex Aronson

Spike TV is attempting to jump into the quality scripted programming game with the adaptation of the 1980s Stephen King novella, “The Mist.” While the initial draw might be the creatures that lurk within the cloudy mist that engulfs a small town, the consistent attraction comes from the characters that inhabit the waterside abode.

The 10-part summer series is based more on the book rather than the 2007 film that was directed by “The Walking Dead” creator Frank Darabont. Not only does the mist apparently house creatures from another world, but it also plays with people’s perceptions – making them see things that aren’t really there. This element adds an interesting dynamic that the 2007 film lacked. The human psyche could potentially pose a greater threat than whatever else might be hiding in the mist.

The pilot episode throws a lot of characters at the viewer – but each new face appears to serve a purpose. The center of the story seems to focus on the Copeland family. Alyssa Sutherland and Morgan Spector play Eve and Kevin, the frustrated parents to their rebellious teenage daughter, Alex (Gus Birney). Against Eve’s approval, Kevin secretly gives Alex permission to head out to a high school party, during which the local football star, Jay (Luke Cosgrove) sexually assaults her. With much of the town favoring their local football hero, her assault causes significant friction between Kevin and Eve, but they know they must hold a united front, as it is their daughter’s word against Jay’s.

As the mist rolls into town, it quickly becomes apparent that it is not safe to travel outside, leaving a majority of the characters scattered between the police station and the mall. A family divided, Eve and Alex are stuck inside the mall with Jay, alongside a large group of people who despise her for her accusations against him. The opposing character dynamics inside the mall prove to hold significant potential for tension to arise inside as the stakes rise outside.

Adrian (Russell Posner), Alex’s gay best friend, and Natalie (Frances Conroy of “American Horror Story”), the quirky neighbor, make up for some of the other small town stereotypes.

Unlike King’s other series, “Under the Dome,” which feels flat after three seasons on CBS, Spike’s cable platform allows the freedom for bloodshed, which is pivotal in a story such as “The Mist,” and far more befitting for the world of King.

The series seems to be hitting at the perfect time. Serialized adaptations have been making huge waves in the recent television landscape – with HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” FX’s “Fargo” and A&E’s recently completed “Bates Motel” setting a high watermark. Not to mention, public interest for material from the Stephen King canon appears to be in high demand. The trailer for his “It” theatrical adaptation smashed records, becoming the most viewed trailer ever in less than 24 hours. King also has another series in development at Hulu titled, “Castle Rock” – named after the fictional Maine setting for many of King’s famed stories. The stars are aligned for “The Mist” to take off, but continued quality and a focus on character drama, and not just creature horror, will define whether or not it stands above B-movie material.

“The Mist” premieres June 22 at 10 p.m. ET on Spike.