 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough
The Skeleton Key (M)
Directed by Ian Softley
 Kate
Hudson discovers something creepy going on behind those locked doors...
Deep in the (more black than blue) bayous, just an hour's drive from New Orleans,
is a decrepit and spooky mansion. Student nurse Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson) has
applied for a job there, caring for Ben Devereaux (John Hurt), the elderly husband
of Violet (Gena Rowlands). Ben suffered a massive stroke and is only expected
to live another month or two. The couple's lawyer Luke (Peter Sarsgaard) explains
it all to Caroline, a compassionate nurse who wasn't around when her own father
died, a fact she has always regretted. She really cares about her patients and
quickly realises there's something nasty going on in her new residence...
She's got that right! A terrified invalid, voodoo, a mansion with a dark past
and a sense of foreboding that is almost palpable.
If there's a place that screams creepy atmosphere it's America's deep south.
First sign of a swamp and trees laced with old man's beard and I'm ready to be
spooked. Director Ian Softley has done an exemplary job in creating a sense of
dread for this horror/thriller. There's something extremely sinister going on
behind those locked doors and Caroline will need more than a skeleton key to unlock
the mysteries of this haunted mansion.
You couldn't get two finer actors than John Hurt and Gena Rowlands. It's always
a pleasure watching their work, while Goldie Hawn's daughter, Hudson, proves she
too has what it takes to make a terrific actor.
There's nothing I enjoy more than being scared silly by a well-made spooky
movie and I'm happy to report that The Skeleton Key had me jumping out of my seat
on a regular basis. And the rest of the time I was on the edge of it!
I also pride myself on being able to guess where a film's going plot-wise,
but the almighty twist at the end of this killer chiller took me completely by
surprise.
If you love being creeped out, but are sick of no-plot, no-brain slasher flicks,
then I highly recommend The Skeleton Key.
Rating: 
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