Macabre but not frightening

Rating: Null/10 (16 September 2003)

Like I always do, I see films like this one trailered and I rush to the cinema in the vain hope that I'll be frightened out of my socks, ignoring the little voice in the back of my head that says "it will be a let down". Well this time, I wasn't frightened, but the little voice was also wrong! More of a psychological thriller than a horror (wrongly hyped), the characterisation in the film was so incredible that I stopped caring whether or not the film was chilling.
This is Kidman's finest role I have seen to date and I have always been a fan of her acting. Her accent was brilliant and her portrayal of a strict, principled mother who is ultimately the most vulnerable person in that house is mesmerising. Of course, the unique relationship with her children could not have been adequately portrayed without the fantastic performances from Mann and Bentley. Altogether, the characters were realistic, funny and sympathetic.
Ultimately, this film was predictable, but it was more complex than a cheesy one-dimensional horror. That is not to say that the film did not have its chilling moments, such as when Mann is possessed by the medium (or vice versa), but it drew its suspense from the emotional rather than the visual.
A fine film with unique individuality and intelligence.