Gothika

Starring: Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Robert Downey, Jr., Charles S. Dutton
Directed by: Matthieu Kassovitz
Rating: R
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Box Office: $59,694,580
2003

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A successful psychologist (Halle Berry) gets into a car accident after she swerves to miss a ghostly apparition. When she wakes up, she is in the mental hospital where she worked, accused of being insane after murdering her husband (Charles S. Dutton). She can't remember anything after the accident, and her colleague (Robert Downey, Jr.) isn't much help. She then turns to a mental patient she had been treating (Penelope Cruz) to try and discover some answers to what is happening to her. Is it something supernatural... or she is really just crazy?

Review:

Tim: I wasn't too excited about seeing this movie, because I'm not the biggest fan of either Halle Berry or Penelope Cruz. They both have their moments, but I just don't like them too much. I will admit, however, that they are both quite good in this surprisingly thrilling film.

The first thing to mention about Gothika is that the film is more suspense/thriller than it is horror. There are definitely scenes that will make you jump, but all in all, the tension and suspense will affect you more than the horror aspects of the movie. It will definitely startle you quite a bit- watch for the ghosts that pop up left and right. A couple of times I almost wet myself!

Gothika is an interesting movie, although at times it gets quite boring. Berry gives a decent performance, but far from spectacular. Cruz is very good and convincing as a mental patient.

In many ways, this film could be accused of ripping off many other same genre films, for example, The Sixth Sense and Stir of Echoes In addition, there are a number of plot holes and outlandish scenes that ask you to suspend your disbelief just a little too much.

In the end, however, Gothika has an interesting idea, and although its not perfect, it is full of suspense and will keep you entertained. Oh, and just on a side note, the end of the film is both ridiculous and... to use regular vernacular, just plain sucks. And, if you can tell me what the title means, then you are smarter than I.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7.5


If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Stir of Echoes, The Sixth Sense, In Dreams, Swordfish, Monster's Ball, The Frighteners