jan_kalina

Somewhere at some isolate island is a hotel resort run by the mysteriosu Mr. Roarke (Michael Peña). Enter five guests as winners of some previously undisclosed competition (the audience doesn't need to know about such details, am I right?) And as the winners of this competition and based on some quick query, their fantasies will be fulfilled. No one is exactly sure what that entails. Only that all fantasies have to reach their natural conclusion, whatever that may mean. Now important thing to those familiar with the original series from the 70s, this has nothing to do with that. At all. This is a thriller/horror. Some of the fantasies differ from easy (to have it all - which is fulfilled as constant party time,) fixing a mistake in past, becoming a soldier to revenge on a high school bully. The characters do not know how and in what way their fantasies will be fulfilled. It seems all fine and dandy at first, but then different fantasies start to overlap and then it all gets twisted up. The whole cast gives great performances (Lucy Hale and Maggie Q being the stand out), and as the film progresses the film keeps on piling on twist upon a twist and it still makes sense but the main story may be a bit buried upon that heap of twists. It's just too twisty for its own sake. But it's a lot of fun. If you are not looking for anything highbrow, this is great pick. (If you are looking for anything highbrow I guess you gotta hold on for the next Blumhouse production that is inevitably coming.)

I can hardly recall a film in which madness, pure human insanity is depicted so well. Usually you see this crazy lunatic who happens to be the villain of the story but he is depicted in this glorifying way. None of this nonsense is present in Stonehearst Asylum. The plot focuses on a young soon-to-be doctor Edward Newgate, who is in search of an doctor experience in order to complete his degree. He stumbles upon the Stonehearst Asylum far from civilisation, managed by the Dr. Silas Lamb. His use of unorthodox and unconventional methods is quite astounding to Newgate. He does not tell his patients that they are crazy instead he encourages their disillusionment. Why make a miserable man out of a perfectly happy horse? as Dr. Lamb puts it.

Now this does not exactly sound a plot of a thriller film, does it? If you haven't seen the trailer then all the better for you. I haven't watched the trailer before watching the film so I basically had no idea about the plot whatsoever. The film explores many aspects of human nature and some lines about the insanity are just on the nose. Another thing I love the good and evil is not easily defined in this film, since all characters' actions are explained and justified in order for you to sympathise with them. Yes, of course you know who is the villain of the story but after series of twists and revelations, which believe me nobody can see coming, the lines are not so clear and you just have to watch the story unfold, because in one moment the status quo of the story is just completely turned upside down- in the most entertaining way I assure you.

The film feature top-notch performances by brilliant actors. It was nice to see Jim Sturgess again. I wonder why he is not in more films. He is a great talent. Kate Beckinsale gives one of the best performances of her career. Ben Kingsley chews the scenery once again and this time Michael Caine joins him as well and the whole film you wait for these two to meet in a scene and when they do it is worth it. David Thewlis, big actor in small roles, proves how much he fits in these period films.

Brad Anderson, man behind several episodes of Fringe, the eerie The Machinist and the absolutely perfect Halle Berry thriller/horror The Call, shaped up as one of the most capable directors of creating the proper scary eerie foreboding atmosphere and also the most suspensive ones. My plan after this film is to catch up on Brad Anderson's films because I am certain that they will be as great as the ones I have already seen.

Stonehearst Asylum is a must-see for any fan of a quality narrative, for any fan of a thriller which later develops into a horror. It will leave you thinking about what you have seen for several more days. Go see it without knowing as little as possible thus you can enjoy it to the fullest.