The Others (2001)

Spectral happenings on an estate in the Channel Islands after WWII (no spoilers) RELEASED IN 2001 and written & directed by Alejandro Amenábar, "The Others" is a haunted house flick about a woman (Nicole Kidman) who lives in an old manor on one of the Channel Islands with her two photosensitive children immediately after WWII. After three people arrive seeking employment, they increasingly become convinced that the abode is haunted. While this is a fantasy movie in that it depicts supernatural happenings, like doors mysteriously opening and closing, these types of unexplainable things have been known to happen. The movie is a serious exploration of what may really be occurring. The mansion seems sterile and there’s a one-dimensional pale ‘look’ to the bulk of the picture, which was intentional for obvious reasons. Speaking of which, the perpetually fog-laden grounds create a nice ghostly ambiance. Everything hinges on whether the last act effectively reveals the truth and it does. The film provides intriguing food for thought. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 44 minutes and was shot in Cantabria, Spain (exteriors of the mansion); Penshurst, Kent, England (The Lime Walk) and Madrid. GRADE: B/B-

'The Others (2001)' is an old-fashion ghost story, in the vein of Gothic horror like that which was popularised in the late 1800s, told in the style of the old-fashioned ghost films of the sixties in which suspense and story were more important than outright scares and special effects - a rare yet effective philosophy. It's at times a slower piece and the horror generally comes from quiet bumps in the night, so if you're expecting jump-scares or overt gore you're likely to be disappointed, but thanks to a keen focus on character and narrative technique you're always invested right up until the breath-taking climax that I'd peg as perhaps one of the best endings in any horror picture ever made. Unexpected, intelligent and edge-of-your-seat stuff that tightens its screws masterfully. 8/10

Boring the whole way through. I was expecting a riveting twist at the end, as promised, but it was predictable. All the ghost-related stuff was gimmicky, too, and I found myself lacking any emotion for the movie. The characters were as bland as cardboard, the plot was cliche and the atmosphere was nonexistent. Just another MEH movie.

At first, I wasn't sure about this movie. It seemed odd and I found the ailment of the children a bit ludicrous. Not that people don't suffer from it, but both children having the same rare ailment is a bit far fetched. But if you can look past that and continue watching, you soon get drawn into the story. It seems like your normal, creepy haunted house story, but the more you watch, the more hints that are dropped, you start to wonder if this movie is more than that. What I enjoyed best were the twists that you never see coming. Think "The Sixth Sense"... If you enjoyed that movie, you'll love this one. A must see for those who like a mind f**k more than gore.