Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is an American made-for-television horror film directed by John Newland and starring Kim Darby and Jim Hutton.

A young housewife accidentally sets free three goblin-like creatures from within a sealed fireplace in the Victorian mansion, which she has inherited from her late grandmother.

The estate's handyman, Mr. Harris, tells her that Sally's grandmother had him seal it up after her grandfather died and that it is better to leave it the way it is.

Alex remains unconvinced of her story, but makes sure the ash door is bolted securely shut.

The following night, Sally throws a dinner party for Alex's colleagues at his law firm.

As Sally turns the light back on, the creatures shriek and retreat from the brightness into the bathroom cupboards where they disappear.

Before she goes, the creatures attempt to trip Sally down a flight of stairs, but they accidentally cause the death of her interior decorator instead.

[4] Ian Jane from DVD Talk wrote, "While Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark may not be a deep film nor will it win any awards for originality, it's a fun seventies horror picture with some memorable moments, great camerawork and a genuinely surprising finale.

[7] Director Guillermo del Toro (who produced and co-wrote the film's remake) was heavily influenced by it when he saw it on television as a child.

[8] "It was something close to my heart for a very long time ... We thought the movie was the most terrifying on Earth", said del Toro.

The remake stars, Bailee Madison, Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, and was produced and co-written by Guillermo del Toro.

[9] The remake is noted for its Freudian themes as well as the proto-feminist undertones and the "fears and anxieties about the changing roles of women and the ways they are so often victimized or go unheard.