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The Skeleton Key (2005)
Front Cover Actor
Kate Hudson
Gena Rowlands
John Hurt
Peter Sarsgaard
Joy Bryant
Maxine Barnett
Fahnlohnee R. Harris
Marion Zinser
Deneen Tyler
Ann Dalrymple
Trula M. Marcus
Tonya Staten
Thomas Uskali
Jen Apgar
Forrest Landis
Jamie Lee Redmon
Ronald McCall
Jeryl Prescott
Isaach De Bankolé
Christa Thorne
Movie Details
Director Iain Softley
Language English
Audience Rating PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Running Time 104 mins
Country USA
Color Color
Plot
Steeped in rain, humidity, and eerie bayou atmosphere, The Skeleton Key is an entertaining supernatural thriller that makes excellent use of its Louisiana locations. New Orleans and the rural environs of Terrebonne Parish are crucial in setting up the creepy circumstances that find compassionate caregiver Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson) newly employed at the backwater plantation home of Violet (Gena Rowlands) and her invalid husband Ben (John Hurt), who's been rendered mute and seemingly helpless by a recent stroke. The place is rife with mystery, shrouded in the secrets of a suspicious past and, under Violet's stern supervision, plagued by superstition involving the use of Hoodoo magic spells (not to be confused with Voodoo, as explored in the similarly suspenseful Angel Heart) intended to protect the house from harm. But Caroline soon discovers the source of the mystery, and why Ben (who can barely utter a word) is so desperate to escape his seemingly comfortable domesticity. There are a few loopholes in the screenplay by prolific horror writer Ehren Kruger (The Ring and The Brothers Grimm), but director Iain Softley (Wings of the Dove) expertly emphasizes the edgy air of mystery, pushing some effective shocks while encouraging fine work from Hudson, Peter Sarsgaard (as Violet's lawyer) and especially Rowlands, who's genuinely disturbing as Skeleton Key nears a twist ending that's undeniably effective. --Jeff Shannon
Personal Details
Seen It Yes
Index 190
Collection Status In Collection
Links Amazon US
Product Details
Edition Widescreen Edition
Format DVD
Region Region 1
Screen Ratio 2.35:1
UPC (Barcode) 025192585029
Release Date 15.11.2005
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Nr of Disks/Tapes 1