The Others

I've heard from some people that this movie is good, and I've heard that it is bad. Because the person saying it is good is more reliable than the one saying it was bad, I decided to watch it (unfortunately already knowing the twist at the end). The story follows a family of three in a large house during the World War II era. The mother (Nicole Kidman) is very religious, and is very cautious with her children; they are very sensitive to the sun, which could cause their demise. Her carefulness results in the curtains being closed at all times, and having doors locked behind you when you enter a room: rules in which the mother demands the new servants obey. Kidman begins to hear strange noises in rooms where no one is occupying, and on one day, she experiences the others' presence in her house.

I quite enjoyed this movie, and I look back upon my friend's opinion on movies (including the bad one on this), and realize I should never take his word again. The shadows used in this movie, due to the closed curtains, really give a supernatural and dark mood to the movie, something that Hollywood horrors rarely do today (see review of Disturbia). I give this movie 7.6 out of 10 for these reasons, and because of the twist at the end that I already half knew, so luckily it wasn't completely spoiled.