Watch the Source Material First

Rating: Null/10 (2 March 2007)

This film is a big disappointment. It takes its inspiration (and cinematographic content) from a medley of other, far more original and infinitely superior, films: Pi, Memento, The Machinist, Sin City. Overall comes across a dumbed-down , hotchpotch of different cinematic styles and ideas.
Carey just about holds the thin threads of the film together. However, he never looks sinister to me and I still keep on thinking he is going to start contorting his face, particularly at key bits in the film. He is so much more effective in the "fluffy" psychological roles we have seen in Eternal Sunshine.. and The Truman Show. In this film, he lacks the innate edge that enables other (more able) actors to create credible and truly scary characters.
Go to see this film by all means and make up your own mind. However, you may want to spend your hard-earned cash on much better releases, such as Pan's Labyrinth. Failing that, perhaps you should wait until it comes out on DVD? However, I suggest you work you way through this films sources of inspiration first (Pi, Memento, The Machinist). This way you will not lessen the impact of their originality with this weak, mass market-oriented plagiarism.