THE TURNING – “A groan-worthy gothic creeper”
RATING
DIRECTOR
Floria Sigismondi (The Runaways – 2010)
STARRING
- Mackenzie Davis as Kate
- Finn Wolfhard as Miles
- Brooklynn Prince as Flora
- Joely Richardson as The Demoness
- Mark Huberman as Bert
- Niall Greig Fulton as Peter Quint
- Barbara Marten as Mrs. Grose
SYNOPSIS
Is a modern adaptation of the 1898 ghost story The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.
A newly appointed nanny is charged with the care of two disturbed orphans, Flora and Miles. She quickly discovers that both the children, and the house, are harbouring dark secrets and things may not be as they appear.
REVIEW SUMMARY
The Turning, the latest film to take part in the now annual January horror release trend, is a real groan-worthy gothic creeper. Not only is the movie ultra thin on actual scares, it's also lacking an actual conclusion. No, seriously. Ambiguity is one thing, but the filmmakers here seemingly gave up on the story altogether and ended things in the most infuriating way possible - cutting to credits after a nonsensical twist (this isn't The Sixth Sense folks). Frustrating finale aside, there are a handful of creepy moments that work (look out for the dismembered hand), and some decent performances (mostly from our adolescent actors). It's just too bad things are way too rushed, way too sloppy, and way too familiar to make us care. And if you are one of the few who does get invested while watching, well, that ending will surely change all that.
BOX OFFICE TOP 5
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