Good ghost story with the style of an old movie

Rating: 7/10 (11 November 2013)

In a time where most horror movies consist only on cheap scares and are not patient enough to build an appropriate atmosphere, "The Others" is a breath of fresh air and a welcome return to old-school horror.
The film takes place in a post-war era in an isolated house in the countryside. The Gothic aspect of the house helps to create a ghost novella feeling, with small rooms and doors closed that give a sense of claustrophobia. Added to that there is no electricity at the house, so all homework must be made old-school. In the house lives Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) and her two children, who have an uncommon disease so they can't be exposed to the sunlight. One day three servants arrive at the house, disposed to help in the housework while Grace takes care of the children. Her husband never returned from the war and the old servants left the house weeks ago. Even so the arrival of these new persons make Grace suspicious, because in the moment they enter the house strange happenings begin to occur.
One of the surprises of "The Others" is at its style, similar to an old horror movie: the scenario, ambient, characters, even the storytelling. The film also seems to take elements from the classic novel "The Turn of the Screw", a book that inspired "The Innocents", an old horror movie reminiscent of this. I find it admirable the fact that Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar tries to take the audience into the old times, allowing the events to build slowly, even if this could be a problem for viewers accustomed to fast-paced modern horror movies.
"The Others" is a solid haunted house story with a good script and interesting twists, but the highest point here is Nicole Kidman. She plays her character naturally, showing herself as a normal person facing difficulties, and not as the typical hysterical woman found in recent horror flicks.
Concluding "The Others" may be a good choice if you like old horror movies, suspense or want to see a good story. The film contains a revealing twist over the ending. I can assure you will be surprised, but I can't assure you will like it.
My Score: 7.4