Hitchcockian, but in a good way.

Rating: 8/10 (3 September 2004)

Most of the criticisms I've seen of the film seem to centre on two points: Nobody is eviscerated on screen and the pacing.
Anyone familiar with the director's previous work should not be surprised by the former and the latter is down to personal taste.
The film is certainly being punted as a thriller/horror piece, whereas in my view its much more of a Gothic tale. The build up is, for me, well paced and highlights the actual nature of horror. It creeps and grows in the shadows. They fear what they can't see but can hear.
The twist is largely irrelevant as its apparent from quite early in the film what the elders are up to. It makes the situation more poignant and certainly stands well as a "Day the Earth Stood Still" for our time.