Gothika (2003)
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Duration: 98 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Mathieu Kassovitz
Stars: Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz and Robert Downey Jr.
IMDb score:
5,8 (121.901)
Releasedate: 21 November 2003
Gothika plot
"Because someone is dead doesn't mean they're gone."
A psychologist wakes up as a patient at the criminal clinic, where she herself works. She discovers that she is accused of murdering her husband, but she can't remember anything about it. While desperately trying to regain her memory, she finds herself manipulating a vengeful spirit.
Actors and actresses
Miranda Grey
Pete Graham
Douglas Grey
Sheriff Ryan
Phil Parsons
Chloe Sava
Teddy Howard
Irene
Rachel Parsons
Turlington
Reviews & comments
Shadowed
-
- 10179 messages
- 6094 votes
OK.
Not an unpleasant movie to watch, but not too special in terms of horror film either. Gothika has the advantage that there seems to be an experienced and above all good director behind the helm. However, Kassovitz cannot save his horror film from mediocrity.
Fortunately, Kassovitz continues to perform well visually. The look of the film and especially the decor are very successful. The blue glow that radiates from the building works very well. It makes for some atmospheric images. Combined with neat editing, the film is quite complete visually.
In terms of acting, the film is a bit less. Berry tries her best, but her role requires so much yelling and annoying behavior that it's not a fun performance to watch. Also the role of Lynch and Downey Jr. do not really get off the ground due to great lack of space. The roles never seem to really stand out.
Other roles such as Cruz's are also just below average and do not know how to convince. The average acting is therefore below average and the well-known cast that is there is fairly discarded or neglected. Also, there could have been better casting.
The film doesn't really want to be exciting, despite the fact that there was enough potential for it. It all wants to look very modern, but just doesn't get that far. It's not creepy, exciting or intense. With that you just watch 98 minutes of entertainment, but 98 minutes that show too much potential, making the lack of tension quite noticeable.
The twist towards the end doesn't really convince either. Such a concealment of an accomplice, I just don't know. And then add such a typically exciting Hollywood finale to it. It just doesn't work like that, and the film loses its voice a bit with it. Other than that it's an entertaining whole. Neat camera work, strong editing and a powerful visual look. Unfortunately, that's where it ends.
Chainsaw
-
- 8580 messages
- 3524 votes
After about 50 minutes, a nurse suddenly appears and says: 'Try to stay awake'. There's a good chance she's talking to the audience here, because Gothika is a pretty lifeless film. It is a typical ghost film from the early 2000s, in other words a lot of influences from the then wildly popular J-horror, but with all kinds of CGI and fast cuts. This striking style is alternated with a very clichéd style, namely dark rooms with flickering lights in a quiet clinic. Halle Berry does her best to take the film to a slightly higher level, but in the end the film doesn't get any further than a middle-of-the-road ghost movie. A ghost film that doesn't want to become memorable for a few nice and stupid over-the-top moments - certainly towards the climax.
2.5 stars.
Sergio Leone
-
- 4249 messages
- 2934 votes
Reasonable.
Quite formulaic work, but one with a fairly high tempo. In any case, it ensures that the uninteresting plot remains easily digestible. There are some horror elements in it, although I still find it more of a thriller. Halle Berry in her popular years plays the lead role, but is rather inconspicuous. That might be to her advantage, because I don't think she's a really good actress.
Furthermore, a lot of blue in the color palette, which should provide a somewhat chilly atmosphere. That's a pretty safe choice. Every now and then the film looks a bit messy and unbalanced in editing, like in the beginning, when Berry's character works diligently in the late hours and then suddenly goes swimming during a power failure. That makes no sense. Fortunately it stays there and the further course is just decent enough.
3
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