This supernatural thriller is well-crafted and engaging, but only to a point. Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson, ALMOST FAMOUS) is a caretaker for older people in New Orleans. She takes a position with Violet Devereaux (Gena Rowlands, THE NOTEBOOK) to take care of her husband, Ben (John Hurt, ALIEN), who cannot speak and can barely walk after an accident in their home. The Devereaux’s lawyer Luke (Peter Sarsgaard, SHATTERED GLASS) informs Caroline that several nurses have not worked out, which adds to her suspicion that maybe Violet has something to do with Ben’s affliction.
While snooping around, Violet finds strange things in the attic. Her friend Jill (Joy Bryant, ANTWONE FISHER) informs her that its hoodoo, which is a form of magic that sprung up in the bayou years ago and can only have an affect on those who believe in it.
The Louisiana bayou is always a nice setting for a horror flick and works well here. Hudson is good and shows that she’s actually better in more serious roles than in lame romantic comedies. However, I was never drawn in by her motivations, which seemed weak and underdeveloped.
Throughout the film, the plot seems to be driving the story forward too much. As well, the story is fairly predictable until it isn’t. And what I mean by that is that the ending is unexpected only because we don’t have all the information about how this world works.
Nonetheless, the ending is pretty good. I liked how it wrapped things up in an eerie way. Still, nothing is all that shocking in the film. I wasn’t bored with the film or felt it was talking down to me, but it lacked in a few too many areas to be truly wonderful. For thriller fans, I’d say you might want to check this one out on cable or if you’re really stuck for something to rent. For everyone else looking for a truly spooky tale where a woman cares for people in a creepy old house, rent THE INNOCENTS starring Deborah Kerr.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
