Above Average Supernatural Thriller Starring Kate Hudson. (The Skeleton Key (DVD))

Member Name: DUKE41

Product:	The Skeleton Key (DVD)
Date:	15/11/08 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Kate Hudson's rather fit.

Disadvantages: None to be honest.

Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson) gives up her job as a nurse at a hospital in New Orleans to work as an in-house carer in a mansion on the outskirts of New Orleans for Ben Devereaux (John Hurt), a stroke victim on his last legs who can no longer walk or talk. Caroline is given a skeleton key by Devereaux's wife Violet (Gena Rowlands) which allows her access to every room in the house. She finds her way into a secret room in the attic which contains voodoo dolls, a book of spells and other items of black magic.

Violet tells Caroline that the room used to belong to two black servants called Mama Cecile and Papa Justify who worked in the house in the twenties and practised Afro-Caribbean magic. When their white employers discovered that Mama Cecile and Papa Justify had been performing spells with their children they were hung and burnt alive.
Caroline begins to suspect that Violet has been performing black magic on her husband Ben and shares her concerns with the Devereaux's young lawyer Luke (Peter Sarsgaard) and her friend Jill (Joy Bryant).

Don't watch The Skeleton Key if you want to see blood and guts, it's not a horror film. The Skeleton Key is a supernatural thriller and an above average one at that. It reminds me a bit of The Shining for some reason. Gena Rowlands' portrayal of the mysterious and sinister Violet has a touch of an Jack Torrance feel to it in a female sense.


The Skeleton Key is a bit of a change of direction for Goldie Hawn's daughter Kate Hudson who is better known for romantic comedys such as How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days and You, Me & Dupree. However she more or less pulls it off although the script doesn't allow her that much dialogue at times. She spends a lot of time pulling faces to be honest.


John Hurt is a bit wasted in this film because he doesn't say actually say anything although he almost did at one time.


Joy Bryant's portrayal of Caroline's friend Jill is a bit lame to be honest. She only seems to appear to offer Caroline some advice.

Generally The Skeleton Key is an enjoyable film with a clever twist. A lot of it is shot in the dark but it adds to the suspense. There are plans for a sequel to be released in 2009. The Skeleton Key was written by Ehren Kruger, the screenwriter who re-drafted The Ring for it's American remake.

DVD Extras -
There are a number of extras but they are all very short.

Casting The Skeleton Key is the longest piece at 9 minutes and is relatively uninspiring. A House Called Felicity, a 5 minute piece about the film's location The Felicity Plantation is a bit better.


The contemporary feel of the film's soundtrack is discussed by music supervisor Sara Lord in Blues Of The Bayou (6 minutes in length).


Kate Hudson's Ghost Story sees the star of the film share a "spooky" supernatural experience which really did happen apparently. It's only 3 minutes in length.


Exploring Voodoo/Hoodoo is a 4 minute short which explains the differences between the two.

Behind The Locked Door: Making The Skeleton Key is another short documentary (5 minutes) which just gives everyone involved a pat on the back.
Basically more effort could have been made with these extras.

Summary: Kate Hudson gets involved in hoodoo magic.