Like THE VILLAGE and DARK WATER (which I haven't seen but I've read enough reviews), THE SKELETON KEY is yet ANOTHER suspense mystery marketed as a terrifying horror film. This is starting to annoy me because people slate the films for not being scary when that isn't really what they set out to be. That is the warning I will give to all of you who plan to see this when it's released in the US. It's NOT an outright horror film, so don't expect to be scared of your wits.

Right, now that's taken care of, I'll get to the story:

Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson), a 25 year old hospice worker, takes up a job in the deep South to care for Ben Devereaux (John Hurt), an elderly bed-ridden man who is unable to move or speak after his stroke in the attic, as his wife Violet (Gena Rowlands) is unable to care for him all by herself. Violet provides Caroline with a skeleton key that opens all of the rooms in the house, but she later discovers a door in the attic that won't open. When Violet claims not to know what's in there because she's never been inside the room herself, Caroline investigates and discovers hair, blood, bones, spells, and other instruments for practicing black magic, which Violet thinks (after Caroline tells her of her discovery) must have belonged to house workers Papa Justify and Mama Cecile (who were lynched as a result) who lived there with the original owners. Caroline begins to think that Ben's stroke in the attic may have been the result of something much more sinister, and attempts to unlock the secrets of the house; a move that has terrifying consequences.

As one would expect from a high budget production with an A List cast, the film looks great with slick direction from Iain Softley, and the performances are top notch. Kate Hudson is perfect for the lead role; she has a certain charm about her that has you routing for the character without her even having to try. She manages to convince while spouting out dialogue about hoodoo and spells (that would probably fall flat if not delivered by someone of her ability), which allows us to fully suspend belief and buy into the story, making the final revelations effective and shocking. Gena Rowlands does well in a difficult role, managing to elicit sympathy from the viewer as a desperate woman dreading the inevitable death of her husband, while at the same time displaying a cold edge that gives the character a certain amount of mystery. John Hurt's portrayal of a stroke victim who has a lot to say but no voice to say it with, is very impressive. He performs with his eyes, making us desperate to know what's going on behind them. These are obviously the stand out performances, but everyone is good. No bad casting choices here.

Like I said earlier, the film is low on big scares. Yes, we have the occasional (and obligatory it seems) JUMP enhanced by a loud blast on the soundtrack, but actually most of these are false scares that occur near the beginning (unexpectedly bumping into people etc). I was surprised that the director didn't throw in more of these for the more sinister moments later on, and pleasantly too. He made a wise choice here, as the film just doesn't need them. The story and its execution build plenty of suspense and mystery. It never manages to terrify, but I don't think it set out to, as this isn't strictly a horror film. The story is interesting enough to hold your attention without having to resort to cheap ways of getting you to pay attention during the important scenes. The "scares" are more old school and subtle, which is a nice change. They won't have you leaping out of your seat, but those kind of scares tend to be superficial anyway, as it tends to just be the sound effect that surprises you. They do however provide enough chills and create enough intrigue for you to want to know how it's all going to end.

This brings me nicely to the ending. Like most thrillers coming out these days, The Skeleton Key does indeed have a twist. Apparently in the US, the trailers are advertising an "astonishing ending" that most predict with disappoint (oh the dreaded curse of hype!). Well, the trailers here in the UK haven't done this, but I was aware that it had a twist before I went to see it. I for one enjoy twist endings, but only really when they surprise and don't feel tacked on for shock value. Well, in true M. Night Syhmalan style, Ehren Kruger has moulded his story around a great twist (in my opinion) that works on two levels. The twist itself is relatively impressive as a stand alone idea, but the way that it's integrated into the story makes it even more satisfying. Everything that seems confusing or ambiguous is answered by a revelation that makes you go back over the whole film and see it all in a different light. In that respect, it reminded me of Unbreakable (although the twists themselves are obviously nothing alike lol). It means that the build up, which all seems somewhat average, run of the mill and not very scary at first glance, suddenly has more meaning to it after being re-evaluated. It also provides the film with a chilling outcome (that isn't typical for Hollywood) that will stay with you afterwards (only if you enjoyed the film and bought into it though I guess).

All in all, I think that despite not being the scare-fest it was marketed as, The Skeleton Key is an interesting tale that racks up suspense and mystery on it's way to a satisfying twist that once again makes me say "I wish *I* came up with that!" lol. If you don't like these kind of films, I'd say you should probably avoid it since I can't see this one changing your mind. If however you enjoy haunted house/mystery thrillers and were disappointed by a recent surge of critically panned ones such as the heavily cut DARKNESS, the hideously pointless, unintelligent and nonsensical BOOGEYMAN (which has to be the biggest culprit when it comes to the crime of *Bang! - A door slams! - A shriek on the soundtrack!*), the unoriginal HIDE AND SEEK (I liked it, but I'm in the minority), the entertaining but predictable and uninspired THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (05) or DARK WATER, which it seems has NO horror in it what so ever, then see this one. It is a horror film of sorts, but it's all about the plot rather than freaky images accompanied by musical stingers.

Definitely one of the better "horror"/thrillers to come out this year.

7/10

I'll be seeing this tomorrow night
So i'll give you my review once i am done watching it.

Damn man how do you get all these advanced screenings???

I don't get advanced screenings.  :X

This has already opened in England.

-ONEY

Yeah, I like Kate Hudson but this looks like another horrible movie like the Grudge/Ring. And If it's anything like that then I don't want to see it. But the review was well done and you convinced me to rent it.

No Spoiler Review




The first 10 minutes or so you will be saying to yourself ''yippie another grudge movie'' but as time comes by you notice it is not that. After the great acting and the wonderful atmosphere you notice this is something different.

This movie gets right to the point and keeps you entertained until the end which i personally think was a good twist ending. (Besides The Others) this is on of the best twist endings.

So yes this movie is worth your money which i will be spending to see friday. (On a bigger screen not this lousey computer screen) And i did jump while watching it on here.

9/10

Ohh.. Well I guess it might be worth a look:)

SPOILERS

I think what really bothered me about this film is that it used one too many cheap/false scares for a majority of the film, but that aside, the characters and its ending make it totally satisfying.

The acting was okay, I personally felt that the actors were a little wasted in this picture. The dialogue, again, was only okay. The dialogue exchange between Caroline and Jill outside the bar/club seemed a tab awkward and random. Why all of a sudden did Jill know sooo much about Hoodoo and its roots?

Location was a perfect setting to really get involved with the story. The swamps, the "abandonment" of Terrabone(sp?) Parrish was a great aspect to throw in. But, seriously...aren't the "creepy looking homes" being a little overdone in horror films? If I pulled up at the Daveraux's home I would have been "Oh hell no" and have taken my azz back to the city.

Okay the twists.

SERIOUSLY.....DON'T READ UNLESS YOU HAVE SEEN THE FILM OR YOU HAVE NO INTENTION ON SEEING IT AT ALL.

PLEASE DON'T RUIN IT FOR YOURSELF.




Peter Sarsgaard, seriously, I'm I the only one who suspected him to be involved somehow??? His character was just to "odd" to not be involved.

The actual ending. Hahahaha...I love it when the bad guys win. We seriously don't see that enough in films. The other twist to the ending(which I might as well NOT spoil) seemed a little too much Twilight Zone or "Goosebumps", but that's a positive because it makes me want to watch it again just to notice what "went" into the ending.

Overall, not too bad, what really makes this film what it is, is the ending and its characters.

***OUT OF *****

-ONEY

I didn't think it had many false scare/jump moments compared to most...it certainly only used them early on when very little was really happening. Once it got into the meat of the story, it didn't need them, which is what made me feel like the story was satisfying. There was obviously enough there to not have to resort to cheap scares during the climax.

SPOILERS***

I too suspected that the Lawyer had something to do with it, but in a sense I (and everyone else who thought this) was wrong. It wasn't ACTUALLY him was it. He was in Ben's body. His physical body was indeed coming after Caroline, but it was really Papa Justify. That's why I like the twist so much. You feel all smart thinking you've guessed the bad guys etc, and actually you haven't (unless you've guessed the whole body-switching twist before the end, which I doubt that many people did). AND, the twist continues into creepier depths when you discover where the real people actually are. I imagine only VERY few people guessed that the Lawyer was in Ben's body. That was quite chilling...I think knowing that when watching the film for a second time will make his scenes all the more uncomfortable, for example knowing what "HELP" on the bed sheet REALLY means. Nasty. Lol.