Review of The Uninvited (2009) by Filipeneto — 27 Apr 2018

This movie seems to have been inspired by a Korean production called "A Tale of Two Sisters", but as I did not see this film I do not know exactly if it is a remake or if it only removed some elements, inspiring itself to create a new story. This film revolves around a young woman who returns home after a season in a psychiatric clinic, motivated by the early and unexpected death of her mother. At home, however, she finds her sister and her father living with another woman, who was once their mother's nurse. From here develops a thriller and a family drama where the human psyche is linked magisterial to the supernatural.

The script is very good, full of twists that enrich and heighten the drama, grabbing the public until the end, absolutely unexpected, despite the subliminal messages that have prepared it since the beginning, and the public ignored. The cast is headed by David Strathairn, the father, Emily Browning, the young Anna, Arielle Kebbel, the eldest daughter, Alex, and Elizabeth Banks, the other woman. Browning is flawless in her role, a complex and disturbed character who shows itself to be suggestible and gives some signs of a strong Oedipus complex. In fact, this young actress almost managed to monopolize the film. The filming mostly takes place in a secluded house, beautiful, on the seashore, and its isolation not only makes the place almost paradisiacal but also accentuates the feeling of solitude and vulnerability that sometimes feels.

In short, this light-hearted horror thriller is probably one of the most stylish and well-built I've seen lately. He plays poker with the public, hides the game until the end and manages to escape from the clichés, play with them, surprise us and frighten us without resorting to the usual recipes of CGI, gore, shocking images etc.