The Uninvited

A by-the-numbers thriller that isn't very thrilling and the "twist" is obvious from the opening scene. Entertaining enough if you've got a couple hours to kill.

Whilst this is in no way a bad remake by any stretch, it didnt tread any new ground that the original left. Emily Browning was pretty good in depicting a girl with deep psychological issues but never got out of first gear.

Anna Ivers returns home to her sister Alex (Arielle Kebbel) after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother (Elizabeth Banks). Her dismay quickly turns to horror when she is visited by ghastly visions of her dead mother. I'm always hesitant to watch horror movies on Netflix, because they tend to be newer and lower budget (not that this is always a bad thing). This one is newer, but the budget is there, and they were able to get a few faces I recognize. Especially Arielle Kebbel and Elizabeth Banks, with a nice, smaller role by horror veteran Jesse Moss. Much of the film plays out sort of like a mystery. What is going on? Is it supernatural? Is the stepmother really who she claims to be? It's not the best suspense film, but it is more than adequate in holding your attention, especially thanks to strong performances. In a way, this film anticipates the widely celebrated "Goodnight Mommy".

It's always wonderful when a commercial studio picture can broadside you like "The Uninvited" does. Never having seen the Japanese original, I went into this blindly and quickly became engrossed in the plot. It seemed straightforward enough and the acting was exceptional. Emily Browning and Elizabeth Banks play their roles seamlessly and the storyline, though incorporating a number of supernatural elements, never feels kitschy or hackneyed. There's no reason you wouldn't take them at face value. When the trip cable pops up at the end and everything turns bizarroville, the credibility still holds up. It's a tight story and tight piece of drama....way better than it has the right to be considering it's budget and genre.