The Homunculi.
The Homunculi, sometimes known as "Creatures" or also simply "Tooth Fairies", are a mythical race of small nocturnal fairy-like creatures from the netherworld and the main antagonists of 1973 ABC made-for-TV horror film Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and the 2011 fantasy horror film of the same name.
History
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973 film)
It starts when Sally and her husband Alex inherited the mansion from her recently deceased grandmother shortly after she discovered a fireplace whom her grandmother put sealed for secret, later Sally become haunted by dark, goblin-like creatures which caused her husband and friends to worry about her health or didn't believe her, but in the end Sally was taken by the goblins into fireplace.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2011 film)
Eight year old Sally's parents were divorced and her mother sent her to live with her father and his girlfriend Kim. While playing outside, Sally notices a basement window in garden, revealing a sealed basement. Harris, one of the workers who knows about the house's dark past warned the family against opening it, specifically stating "Its not safe for children."
Against his warning, the basement is opened. The Homunculi, having been awoken by Sally's carousel-styled nightlight which plays a lullaby tune, begin whispering to her. She finds that they are whispering from a bolted shut ashpit. Sally, thinking they want to be her friend, releases them.
Sally becomes hunted by the Homunculi. Her father doesn't believe her stories about them and worries about her health while Kim tried her best to be a good mother but the Homunculi framed Sally for ripping Kim's dress. Harris attempted to reseal the ashpit but was attacked and hospitalized. Harris later attempted to tell Kim about the houses dark secret and directed her to the library.
Kim learns about the truth through the disappearance of Lord Blackwood and his son as well as numerous paintings and texts made by Blackwood at the end of his life. 200 years ago when Lord Blackwood's son was taken by the homunculi, Blackwood pleaded for the return of his son by killing the maid and attempting to offer her to them in exchange before he was taken as well.
The Homunculi attempt to take Sally, but she is rescued by Kim who is dragged down the ashpit instead. Sally breaks into tears and kills one of the Homunculi in her rage. A few days later Alex and Sally visit the home, now in foreclosure, and Sally leaves a drawing for Kim. Kim has become a Homunculus as her own voice speaks with an echoing sinister tone among the voices of the demonic fairies that forever lurk and hide in the dark.
Gallery
Trivia
- The name of these small creatures comes from the word "homunculus".
- In the 2011 version, Kim is taken instead. This may mean that they don't need children like mythology claims. Simply that children are the easier prey.
- It may also be worth noting that the dialogue between the Homunculi and the Homunculi Kim at the end of the film hints that Kim is now something of a leader among them as she easily convinces them to wait in the depths of the basement for the humans to forget rather than fight.