The Uninvited - A Movie Review

Something really weird is going on ever since I got home from the mental institution.

After returning home from a stay in a mental hospital, The Uninvited is a 2009 film about a young girl learning of some changes. Having to deal with her stepmother and weird visions, Anna fights between fantasy and reality.

The Uninvited is completely different after a second watch. It puts a good twist to use extremely well. Even you aren’t sure of what to believe in. No matter what happens, always stand your ground in any battle.

Emily Browning does an excellent job with her character, expressing emotion. Having a difficult time understanding everything, she is plagued with strange visions. Convinced that something is going on with her stepmother, Anna stops at nothing to accuse her.

Browning and Arielle Kebbel were great in their sibling dynamic. Alex is always here to lead Anna and give the advice nobody else will give her. I found it funny how they talked privately while sitting in a bathtub.

Kebbel, and the whole cast for that matter, did a great job studying the true motivation of her character in scenes. Because Alex is not afraid to say what’s on her mind, it’s not just because of her rebel attitude.

After my second watch, my opinions have changed immensely for Elizabeth Banks and David Straithairn’s characters. Thinking that Rachel is just another nasty stepmother trope, she has a good reason for her interactions with Anna. Because of Anna’s history, Rachel is unsure of how to interact with her.

As for Strathairn, I thought he wasn’t involved in the story enough, being unsupportive of his daughter. Boy, does this film have a completely different tone once you realize what is truly at stake.

The only character whom I had an issue with was Matt (Jesse Moss). Aside from one major scene, I didn’t see much of a point to his character. He could have been used more in the story.

Charles Guard and Thomas Guard exceeded in the layout of the story, but most of all, their direction to the actors. The first time I watched The Uninvited, I did not see the twist coming. Everything was directed in a well-timed manner. There were no plot holes that a film similar to the Uninvited would leave in the final project.

I have never seen the original film, A Tale of Two Sisters in which this remake is based, but now I would like to. The Uninvited is an enjoyable horror film from beginning to end. It did a great job with the mysterious atmosphere. It keeps you guessing and shows how wrong you were once it arrives at the twist.

The film is visually appealing, both the locations and cinematography stand out. Taking place by a gorgeous lake, I would love to live in this house. But, after some time, we feel a sense of being trapped.

Another great technique this film does a noteworthy job on is the unreliable narrator. This segment is given the satisfaction that it deserves. Nobody knows what’s going to happen, and that is true horror. There were a few of the usual horror cliches, but not enough to ruin my watch of The Uninvited.

Honestly, I did not think that I was going to like this film thinking that it would be predictable. The Uninvited is a great horror film that will have you watching it a second time as soon as it is over.

Check out The Uninvited if you’re looking for a film with a good twist this October season. You won’t regret it.