
Movie spotlight
The Turn of the Screw
This film adaptation of Henry James' Victorian ghost story changes the location to present day Wellington. Set in a theatre over the course of an evening, Julia finds herself as a last-minute replacement for another actress at the dress rehearsal of a stage play version of The Turn of the Screw, set in 1890. Arriving at the theatre late that night, Julia is immediately thrown on stage and into her role, playing to an empty auditorium. As she interacts with the other characters and the story becomes increasingly terrifying, Julia begins to believe that not only is the fictitious house haunted… but also the theatre itself!
Insights
Plot Summary
A young governess is hired to care for two orphaned children at a remote country estate. As she settles in, she begins to suspect that the house is haunted by malevolent spirits, and her sanity is put to the test as the line between reality and delusion blurs.
Critical Reception
Floria Sigismondi's "The Turning" received largely negative reviews from critics, who found its pacing slow and its scares predictable. While Mackenzie Davis's performance was occasionally praised, the film struggled with a convoluted plot and a lack of genuine suspense, ultimately failing to deliver a satisfying horror experience for most audiences.
What Reviewers Say
The film suffers from a slow burn that never quite ignites into genuine terror.
Despite a strong lead performance, the narrative is often predictable and fails to build suspense effectively.
Attempts at psychological horror are undermined by a muddled plot and uninspired jump scares.
Google audience: Audiences found 'The Turning' to be a disappointing horror film, with many criticizing its slow pacing and lack of originality. While some appreciated the atmosphere and Mackenzie Davis's acting, the majority felt the film did not deliver on its promise of scares and a compelling story, leaving viewers unsatisfied.
Fun Fact
The film's production was impacted by a real-life incident involving the filming location, a historic estate in England, which reportedly had its own paranormal activity claims.
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