Luke Pauli’s review published on Letterboxd:
Guillermo Del Toro (co-writer) and Troy Nixey's (director) remake of a 70's TV movie, Don't be Afraid of the Dark, tries to successfully straddle that line between adult horror and child fairy tale, but doesn't quite manage it. There are some parts that are genuinely frightening, like the opening with the old man chiselling teeth out to appease the creatures that live in his basement, but there are other moments where you feel like your watching one of the lesser Harry Potter movies, both in tone and effects quality. The film follows a well-trodden formula with very little surprises; family moves into creepy house, weird stuff happens, child is blamed, etc etc, you know the drill. The acting is all fine, especially young Bailee Madison (see also Jim Sheridan's Brothers for more evidence of her talents), but the film just feels a little confused about its audience. I expect better from Del Toro.