Don't Be Afraid of the Dark(2010)
2010 · Troy Nixey · 99 min
A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.
Fantasy · Horror · Thriller
5.81.2k votes
TMDB score
2/5
Intensity
1/5
Gore
2/5
Stays with you
How Don't Be Afraid of the Dark scares
There's a constant low hum of unease here, like something is always watching from just out of sight, punctuated by a handful of well-placed jump scares rather than nonstop shocks. The scares lean on shadowy corners, whispering voices, and small quick glimpses of creatures rather than blood or violence. It's more of a moody, old-fashioned gothic chiller than a gross-out horror movie, closer to a dark fairy tale than a nightmare that follows you home. Good for someone who wants a creepy, atmospheric watch without heavy gore or lasting dread.
On The Horror Database's 0–5 scare profile, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark rates psychological 3/5, visceral 3/5, gore 1/5, lingering effect 2/5, and overall intensity 2/5.
- Psychological: 3 of 5
- Visceral: 3 of 5
- Gore: 1 of 5
- Lingering: 2 of 5
- Intensity: 2 of 5
Slow burn vs Jump scares: 45 of 100 — balanced
Supernatural vs Real-world: 20 of 100 — leans Supernatural
Fun-scary vs Disturbing: 35 of 100 — leans Fun-scary
Intensity over runtime
Shape only — no eventsReveal pacing shapeHide pacing shapeHidden by default — shows where the tension peaks and lets up.
A slow, creeping start that steadily tightens into a string of escalating scares before a full-throttle finish.
Intensity across the runtime, 0 to 100: 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 4.
How scary is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
On The Horror Database's 0–5 intensity scale, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark rates 2/5 — moderately scary, balancing creeping dread with well-placed shocks. It works on both fronts, unsettling the mind while going for the body. Expect it to be restrained with gore and fun-first. Some of it will follow you to bed, but it lets go within a day or so.
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