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A review by sioco
A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui
4.5
Mira and Layla are taking a roadtrip to visit colleges but get derailed when Mira sees someone in the road, swerves, and totals the car. They end up at the Wildwood Motel and Ellis at the front desk tells them they don’t have any rooms available. His mother comes out to insist they stay in Room 9. Ellis is obviously uncomfortable but his mother isn’t taking no for an answer. When Mira and Layla get to their room, Mira senses something off. She starts to see her dead brother and the story unfolds from there. They find out that eight people died in that room and Mira might be the next one if they don’t figure out how to stop this “thing.”
I did not see this story as horror. Was it suspenseful? Sure. But it wasn’t the scary story I was expecting. It was sad and explored the intricacies of grief and how people find guilt in themselves or others when someone they love passes. This was a beautiful story that highlights the experiences of two teenagers from Arab families living in America and the role their queerness and grief play in shaping their stay in Room 9.
I did not see this story as horror. Was it suspenseful? Sure. But it wasn’t the scary story I was expecting. It was sad and explored the intricacies of grief and how people find guilt in themselves or others when someone they love passes. This was a beautiful story that highlights the experiences of two teenagers from Arab families living in America and the role their queerness and grief play in shaping their stay in Room 9.