User reviews

The Skeleton Key (2005) Starring: Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, Peter Sarsgaard, John Hurt, Joy Bryant, Marion Zinser, Maxine Barnett, Fahnlohnee R. Harris, Deneen Tyler, Ann Dalrymple, Trula M. Marcus, Jen Apgar, Thomas Uskali, Jamie Lee Redmon, Forrest Landis, Tonya Staten, Isaach De Bankolé, Christa Thorne, Ronald McCall and Jeryl Prescott Directed By: Iain Softley Review FEARING IS BELIEVING Hello Kiddies your pal The Crypt-Critic, you know what I hate when horror movies don't have a good story. This film is basically what would happen if Chucky killer doll actually won. Kate Hudson plays Caroline and one would think that this movie looks exactly like The Ring from a few years ago because it has a hot blonde in the main lead. But anyway she's nursing a man who had a stoke and is beginning to think there's more then meets the eye with the home as she uncovers it's past. I liked the main leads, most of the cast was pretty good because not much was wrong with there dialogue. Except for maybe in the end when Kate Hudson started talking like a southern woman it just didn't feel right on her. I didn't find the acting to be bad but it wasn't anything noteworthy either. The concept is great I mean come on the twist in the end who we find out the people really where and they have same goal as Chucky as I mentioned earlier but ugh huh well if you know what Chucky's goal is or have seen this film just know I hated the ending. On a technical level the camera shots are nice and the film does have a good atmosphere to it. The Skeleton Key is a nicely made film with some fine acting, good props, but with a concept and story that is just wasted. With an ending that bogs it down it doesn't all come together nicely, its like a good DVD that was scratched, I'm giving it a two out of five.

I went to go see the Skelenton Key with some friends, it's summer a 'scary' movie at night with your friends is what your supposed to do but this movie wasn't that great! i will admit that i jumped every once and a while but so would anyone with the loud sound effects and the big screen sometimes that's all you can do.

Now the story had some real potential to be interesting and scary but potential isn't enough to carry the movie. The beginning was WAY to long and the middle was confusing and the end WAY to short, the ending kind of just falls on your lap and then you get up and leave the theater. It all happened either to fast or to slow and nothing was REALLY explained so you leave the movie disappointed and confused.

I wouldn't recommend this movie not even to rent don't waste your money wait for it to turn up on the T.V. one of these days.

Whatever happened to Kate Hudson? Didn't she have a career? Well, if she keeps doing movies like this one then she most definitely won't have a career anymore...

The Skeleton Key is a horror movie about modern-day voodoo (or to be exact hoodoo). Apparently in the hot and dirty swamps around New Orleans the old evil practices still live. And this is where Kate Hudsons young nurse-student comes to take care of a man who recently had a stroke (talented actor John Hurt, completely wasted). When she doesn't take care of the now catatonic man she worries about what's in the attic and jumps when doors slam and floors creak. Also she listens to sermons from long-dead preachers and buys powder to protect her from her enemies.

I have seldom seen a movie that uses so many worn-out clichés. As soon as something "scary" is about to happen (and by "scary" i mean something that is SUPPOSED to be scary) the music starts blaring loudly and Kate Hudsons eyes start to flicker. Then a door slams and she almost has a stroke as well. So, is this so uncommon? Not really, most horror movies are like this when you think about it. It's nothing unique. But there is one thing that just pulls this movie down right to the bottom like a pair of cement shoes. Namely the ending.

Without spoiling anything for you (not that there is much to spoil) i can say that this movie has one of the most awful and predictable endings i have seen in a long time. And predictability, as every sane person knows, is a horror-movies worst enemy. Sad then that "The Skeleton Key" should embrace rather than avoid being predictable.

I rate this 2/10 and urge you to stay away.

bad film. Two gratuitous stars for John Hurt (who has no lines, as an elderly stroke victim) and Gena Rowlands, who I cannot believe signed on for this.

As another reviewer has mentioned, Kate Hudson cannot act. If she sticks to romantic comedy nonsense she is probably OK ("How to Marry a Guy in 7 days"- whatever it was called). I don't watch those type of films, but they tend to be less demanding, so she would probably be believable.

The problem with this film is that, while the setting and cinematography lends itself to much good material, this film fails to deliver. Anyone who has watched and enjoyed "The Ring", "Ju-On" (The original "Grudge"), and any of the Takaishi Miike films (great horror, recommended) will see what I mean. It seems Asian filmmakers are so much more in tune with true horror, and they give the audience credit for intelligence.

Case in point: US films; "The Fog" (remake), "Amityville Horror" (remake) "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "When A Stranger Calls" (remake), plus the "Halloween" and "Friday the Thirteenth" sequels (after the first three or four I lost count).

There must be a dearth of creative writers in Hollywood, because the past few years have given nothing new in the way of horror to American audiences. Do not waste time renting this film. It will be on your local cable station in about four months anyway.

The Skeleton Key was nothing but a waste of good 35mm film and the fact that it hasn't received more scathing reviews is troubling. The movie is billed as a horror/thriller as is all the hype these days but simply amounts to an unintentional comedy. When I saw the movie, the audience spent more time laughing than it did being scared, and rightfully so. Watching Kate Hudson try to sell the movie (especially the entire end scene) was hysterical. I love Kate Hudson but she just doesn't work in this movie. But it's not entirely her fault. The direction is terrible as her character becomes more irritating throughout the movie. She is beyond beyond beyond inquisitive, to the point where you want her to shut-up and stop asking so many ridiculous questions.

The problem is that the movie tries to be dead as hell serious and legit, but so much of it is just beyond unbelievable. This film just takes itself too seriously and can't back it up the way The Serpent and The Rainbow did.

The Skeleton key chose to sit on the fence so as to attract as many viewers as possible. It's not scary, intense, slick, dramatic (The Village), well written, well acted ,well shot. The only thing worth noting is the lighting/cinematography. The night scenes and scenes in the attic were great. Don't give this movie your money, there are tons of movies more deserving.

2 rights

I would just like to quote another reviewer I read. "This film wasn't voodoo, it wasn't hodoo, it was doo-doo!" It may be that you will enjoy it. The number of times Kate Hudson walks about in her underwear may make the film for you or perhaps the poor accents may make you happy. It did frighten a friend of mine. I however found it a bit boring and easy to figure out. I figured out the ending the second a specific character is introduced. However I can tell you as I work for a movie theatre that a large number of people do go see it and find it compelling enough to tell their friends to go see it. It may be just for you, I however found it to simple and to easy to figure out. It also moved so VERY slow. It took FOREVER to get past the second act and the third dragged on FOREVER as well. Once the plot twists are revealed then it moves so fast it all blurs by and tries very little. I would only recommend this movie if you enjoy turn your brain off, slow, suspense movies where nothing jumps out at you. Well almost nothing. Kates underwear is awful nice.