The Fog

On a storm-swept coast, Antonio Bay is swallowed by a thick, creeping fog that terrifies its residents. As the mist pools along the docks and streets, fear spreads and people confront strange visions and hidden tensions. A century ago, a ship carrying lepers was lured to the rocks and sank, and the town’s past horrors refuse to stay buried. Now those long dead mariners return for a final act of vengeance, using the weather and the fog itself as tools. Trust dissolves, alliances fray, and ordinary evenings become deadly tests of nerve.

Directed by Rupert Wainwright, The Fog (2005) updates John Carpenter and Debra Hill's concept for a modern audience. It's a loose remake of Carpenter's 1980 horror classic, released by Universal Pictures and shot with a mix of practical effects and CGI.

With a production budget of 18 million, the film grossed about 46.2 million worldwide, representing a solid return for a mid range horror release in the mid 2000s, and it helped Universal gauge appetite for remakes. Its release arrived against a backdrop of horror remakes, testing audience appetite.

The cast includes Tom Welling as Nick Castle, Maggie Grace as Elizabeth Williams, Selma Blair as Stevie Wayne, DeRay Davis as Spooner and Kenneth Welsh as Tom Malone. The fog effects and coastal atmosphere drew discussion among horror fans, though the remake didn't redefine the genre, with some praising atmosphere while others viewed it as a cautious homage. Fans of the era often point to its practical effects and atmosphere as a reminder of mid 2000s horror craft.

Critics offered mixed verdicts, noting atmosphere and practical effects while doubting pacing and originality. The film probes how a close-knit community hides secrets, confronts mortality, and grapples with guilt and the lure of revenge across generations. Some critics appreciated the ensemble cast and the way it builds tension, even if the script repeats familiar beats.