Review of The Skeleton Key (2005) by Patrick E — 19 Nov 2010

The early to mid 2000's were dominated by the supernatural horror film due the success of films such as The Ring. These were simple enough films to make and were always a success at the box office irrespective of the quality of the film. The Skeleton Key was one of these films and although it was by no means a great film it was an entertaining one none the less.

Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson) is a New Orleans caregiver who helps people who are dying to live out their days comfortably. She decides to take a job looking after a stroke victim in an old mansion in the countryside but soon finds out that the house has a dark past concerning practitioners of Hoodoo, the African American art of magic.

The Skeleton Key is certainly not an original film in that it's very much a by the numbers supernatural horror film plot but it's still very much an interesting story that is slowly revealed throughout the films running time. Yes it's predictable at times but there are enough twists and turns to hold your attention to the end. Its main problem is that for a horror film it's just not frightening enough. There is no creepy atmosphere which is disappointing given the films setting, all we get is the usual jump scenes. It's clear that director Iain Softley was focusing on his storytelling and in that regard the film is a success but in order for it to a really good horror film it needed a little more in the scare department.

The Skeleton Key has an interesting plot involving Hoodoo and quite a good ending but horror fans will be disappointed with the lack of scares to be found here. It's well worth the watch for the largely engaging story though.