Intelligent, frightening film is best of its kind

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2002)

I thought that nothing could surpass my first terrified viewing of "The Haunting" when I was about 15. That's when I became a lifelong fan of supernatural psychological thrillers. Good ones are few and far between -- so, I have waited 31 years for the incredible experience of watching "The Others"! It has been worth the wait. This is the first time I have ever had goosebumps all over my head! I am usually completely unaffected by so-called "thrillers" and I find horror movies to be laughable. But "The Others" is in a class by itself.
After my first viewing of this beautifully-acted, beautifully-filmed, intelligently written story, I had what I call "movie hangover" for a couple of days. I was intrigued, and I knew I would watch it again. Scenes and lines kept coming back to me, along with the impression of all of the amazing performances in the film.
Tonight I watched it for the second time, sharing it with my two 13-year-old sons. They were blown away, and wanted to discuss it long after it was over. We talked about not only the movie, but also questions of the nature of life and death. For me, the second viewing was far, far richer than the first, as I was able to pick up on dozens of clues about which I was "clueless" the first time around. My boys can't wait to see it again. And I have to admit that now I DO love it, and we're buying our own DVD of "The Others"!