Not as familiar as some would think.

Rating: 10/10 (15 September 2001)

The beautiful thing about this movie is its slow pacing. Most would write it off as boring, but to many, the pacing only adds to the tension. "The Others" is a slow-paced thriller that offers some familiar territory, but if one re-examines, realizes the differences are abound.
First off, Nicole Kidman's performance is dead-on perfect. She enchants, much in the same way as earlier this year with "Moulin Rouge". She is one of the greats as far as actress go, and this movie displays her at her best.
The story is confusing, but rightly so. So many unanswered questions that leave you wondering where this movie will go. Although sometimes it is a little obvious, the way they are presented never fails to surprise.

Another bright point of this film is the mood. While most thrillers/horror movies rely on the dark to frighten, this movie uses light. This is due to the conditions of the children, where they are sensitive to light. There are many particularly frightning scenes in which a spot of sunlight sends chills down our spines. The film has a noir-ish look to it, and at some points, almost looks black and white.
The twist in the end is what turns most off. But, to those who ponder it, they will walk away satisfied. At first you may think your experiencing deja vu, but relax. Its a lot more clever than you think.
I've never been to a film that had the audience so attached to their seats, screaming and laughing at the same time. This is a rare gem in a particularly drab summer. See for yourself why this movie is so fantastic. 9/10