The Skeleton Key

Starring: Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt, Peter Sarsgaard
Directed by: Iain Softley
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror, Thriller
2005

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A young woman (Kate Hudson) moves in to take care of an invalid in a rural Southern home. She soon discovers there is more occurring in the house than first realized, and she begins uncovering a plot involving Hoodoo.

Review:

Tim: I am really getting tired of all these horror films that are coming out now- they are all the same type of films, usually starring the latest pretty "damsal in distress" and have their own slight twist that make them different, unique, and prevent you from crying foul over the many similarities between them all. As occasionally happens, this film offered enough unique qualities to stop me from hating it, and enough interesting twists to get me to like it slightly.

This film is your typical horror film, but it is told extremely well. The suspense and mystery build and build as Kate Hudson glides around the house beginning to suspect a terrifying truth that will ultimately haunt her forever.

I also really like the Hoodoo aspect of the film. This is a subject that doesn't show up very much in movies, and is an interesting topic that has vast potential to be explored on the big screen. This is one of the film's most endearing qualities.

Hudson is pretty good in the lead role. I'm still skeptical of her star power and I think she has weird ears, but she's not bad here. The supporting cast is pretty strong, although only Gena Rowlands is good enough to be mentioned.

All these horror films are required to have some big twist at the end, and this movie is no exception. The twist here is actually pretty surprising and somewhat original.

The Skeleton Key is not particularly good or exciting, but it is interesting, and horror fans should be satisfied.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Ring, Abandon