The Skeleton Key (2005)

Director: Iain Softley

Cast: Kate Hudson as Caroline Ellis, Gena Rowlands as Violet Devereaux, John Hurt as Ben Devereaux, Peter Sarsgaard as Luke Marshall, Joy Bryant as Jill, Maxine Barnett as Mama Cynthia, Fahnlohnee R. Harris as Hallie (as Fahnlohnee Harris), Marion Zinser as Bayou Woman, Deneen Tyler as Desk Nurse, Ann Dalrymple as C.N.A., Trula M. Marcus as Nurse Trula (as Trula Marcus), Tonya Staten as Nurse Audrey, Thomas Uskali as Robertson Thorpe (as Tom Uskali), Jen Apgar as Madeleine Thorpe, Forrest Landis as Martin Thorpe

Part of the success of this type of movie is setting up and making sure
its resolution lives up to its expectations. I must say that in this
film everything seems to work, and yet... I'm not sure what spooked
more: its ending or the nature of its ending.

The film deals with the adventures of a young care worker in the middle
of Louisiana. The atmospheric surroundings, the haunting score,
beautiful, spooky photography, and some very good acting by Rowlands
and Kate Hudson raise the bar for upcoming "horror films". We're glued
to the screen for nearly two hours, as things become more mysterious
and intriguing. A few times we're treated to a jolt and a revelation,
but what closes the film is bound to ruffle a few feathers.

Above all, this is a very good movie, with a script that doesn't cheat
anyone and doesn't rely on silly gimmicks. Those factors should portend
good tidings for its success in its original release, but it will
probably become a classic of its kind. The heroine in distress manages
to be smarter than the usual stereotype. She wants to explore the
surroundings and solve the problem. The problem is she has no idea how
bad the situation might be.

Gena Rowlands provides her character with nuances rarely seen in this
type of film. She is a strange character and hooks up the audience from
the very beginning. There is no really an archetype for what Rowlands
brings to life. A few might find the previous statement questionable,
but if you look closely to the development of her character, it is
almost an original.

Kate Hudson makes a very strong impression in this film. She goes
beyond the pretty actress to an accomplished performer who matches up
to Rowland's intensity. She navigates the film with an ease rarely seen
in today's roster of plastic pre-packaged pseudo celebrities. It is
refreshing to see an actress make you care for the character that has
so often been portrayed as an offensive stereotype. There no
gratitude's screaming scenes here. The film reminds me of "The Others",
a movie with substance and intelligence.

This is a film that I will highly recommend to my friends, particularly
because I want to hear what they have to say about that ending.