Best supernatural thriller since 1999's 6th Sense, BWP, Stir of Echoes

Rating: 6/10 (16 August 2001)

This movie succeeds on a number of levels, but also fails to overly impress us with it's story or it's climax.
First off, it is very refreshing to see a movie such as this at a time where recent horror movies have been the pathetic "Forsaken," and the mediocre slasher rip-off "Valentine." What do we have to look forward to? "Jeepers Creepers" (sigh).
In this company, The Others may well go down as the best horror film of the year.
The acting in The Others is one of it's strengths. Nicole Kidman, contrary to what I heard prior to seeing it, gives a strong performance as the authoritarian parent who doesn't know how to deal with the freaky happenings in the house. The kids both give good performances, especially the daughter, in what may be the best performance of the movie. The housekeepers are decent but not outstanding.
The lighting in The Others is really quite amazing. The whole movie is lit by candlelight, and it plays out very realistically and adds to the atmosphere. The cinematography is done flawlessly. Director Alejandro Amenábar has shown he can film better than most directors today.

The movie takes a long amount of time getting to the climax, but it keeps us interested. Had it taken just a few minutes longer in getting there, the audience likely would have lost interest. The problem with the movie lies with the climax and resolution, which doesn't quite make the trip getting there worthwhile. There are good twists at the end, which I will not reveal, but at the same time we expect something more to happen which never does. Part of the blame for that must go to the lack of important things happening leading up to the climax.
Overall a decent but not great movie, which seems like a godsend to horror fans at a time like this.