The Popkorn Junkie :: The Others

"The Others" is a thriller that takes place in the 1940's in a haunted house. The story revolves around Grace (Nicole Kidman) and her two children Anne and Nicholas. Grace and her children have been abandoned by her husband who left and has yet to return from fighting in the World War. The family lives alone in a very large, old house, where the drapes are always closed, the rooms are always locked, and everything is very silent. The reason for the drapes and the locks-- Grace's children are somehow allergic to light. If exposed to light, the children would develop sores, have difficulty breathing, and possibly die. To Grace, the house is like a ship and the light is like water...every adjoining door must be closed and locked to ensure no light will touch the children. The house must also be very silent because Grace gets very bad migraines.

Grace is very strict with the children and often makes them read from the Bible. Grace is particularly strict about lying, which seems to be a problem with Anne. Anne loves to frighten her younger brother by telling him ghost stories. She sometimes even pretends that there are ghosts in the room and she will have conversations with them. Anne gets into trouble often because she always talks about ghosts.

Living alone in a dark house with two children is a difficult job so Grace hires three servants, Lydia (a mysterious mute), Mrs. Mills, and Mr. Tuttle. It is fortunate for Grace that these particular three servants answered her add in the paper because they worked at the house previously and are very familiar with the layout-- working in the dark is less of a problem for them. Once the servants arrive strange things start to occur-- doors are left open and unlocked, drapes are opened, and Grace hears loud noises. At first, she blames the servants, but Anne is adamant that the disturbances are due to the ghosts. Refusing to believe this, Grace and the servants search the entire house to find the intruder who must be hiding out. They find nothing....and then more strange things occur and Grace starts to believe that the house is haunted. To tell more would ruin the movie....

"The Others" is a classic haunted house thriller. The acting is well done, the scenery is appropriately spooky, and the story twists, turns, and becomes more and more mysterious. The film may leave you with some questions but not really because of plot holes...mostly because the story is so interesting and different. If you like a good ghost story see this film and you will not be disappointed.

-- Patsy ( 3 1/2 pops out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

Other Junkie's opinions.....

James ( 4 out of 4 pops )

One of the best pure "haunted house" movies in a long time, "The Others" is truly an original. The story is different from most movies of this genre and as one of the best movies of the year, "The Others" shouldn't be missed.

Mike ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops)

Finally, a very good ghost story/haunted house film that doesn't rely on bloody killings and special effects to entertain. This movie is very creepy and suspenseful and will make you jump in several places. Nicole Kidman is great as usual. The story slowly unwinds, letting you try to figure out what is going on.

Billy Ray ( 2 out of 4 pops )

I have a feeling I am going to be in the minority on this one, but I just wasn't thoroughly impressed with this film. Sure, I thought the part with the withered old woman in the veil, saying, "Are you mad? I am your daughter" was unsettling and nightmarish, but this movie just didn't make me jump too much. Many of the scenes were extremely eerie, like when Mrs. Mills and Mr. Tuttle are walking through the fog, chasing the child--it made me cringe. The primary problem I had with the picture was that it seemed to reliant on films like "The Sixth Sense" and "The Haunting". I have never been a huge Nicole Kidman fan--I even blasted her for "Moulin Rouge" somewhat--and I was not impressed with her in this film. The highlight in this flick is Fionnula Flanagan as Mrs. Mills, as she brings a charisma and eeriness to all of her scenes. This one just didn't do a whole lot for me.