Review of Gothika (2003) by Alexander C — 07 Dec 2012

''I am a rational person. I believe in science. I don't believe in the paranormal, and I don't believe in ghosts. But if you are the ghost of Rachel Parsons, then you would let me out of this cell.''.

Ghost story in which a repressed female psychiatrist wakes up as a patient in the very asylum where she worked with no memory of why she is there and what she has done.

Halle Berry: Miranda Grey.

Gothika follows the late 90s/early 00s trend of desaturated films that have a predominant colour: blue in this case. It creates an atmosphere that works very well for a horror/suspense film of this type, and that is heightened by the Gothic sets and production design, the one shot we get of the exterior of the psychiatric place makes it look like an old castle. Although the overall structure is more along the lines of a pedestrian thriller, the film adeptly weaves horror and unusual stylistic elements throughout its length, creating a whole greater than the sum of its parts. The performances are good, and the script and direction will keep you guessing most of the time.

The film transitions from doctor to patient to a frantic individual trying to make sense of all the madness. Accused of killing her husband, Miranda suffers in asylum. Strange visions and paranormal visitations shake her reality even further and lead her on a journey to discover what is happening to her and why. Why did she kill her husband?

Co-starring in the film is Robert Downey Jr. who also plays a psychiatrist (Pete). His attempts to help Miranda seem fruitless as she suffers through continually bizarre episodes and delusional thoughts. Miranda doesn't trust Pete or anyone else because, "you can't trust someone who thinks you're crazy." But is she?

Penelope Cruz also stars but like Robert she is sidelined to the background Berry steals most of the show.

Gothika is a psychological thriller bordering on a kind of Horror film reminiscent of the Silent Hill series. Underrated in my opinion and a bloody good effort. Worth watching the credits all the way through too for the Soulful Soundtrack and Limp Bizkit Behind Blue Eyes.