Grace (Nicole Kidman) and her two children live in a secluded, always darkened house which may be haunted. The arrival of three mysterious servants mark an increase in ghostly activity, and indicate that there is a secret that Grace is not ready to hear.
Quick Review: There is no questioning the skill of everyone who worked on this film. It is competent in every way. Acting, cinematography, lighting, music, set design, sound, costuming—it’s all first rate. Nicole Kidman is particularly strong as a woman broken by the absence of her husband and controlled by her fears. But it’s not enough. This is an old-fashioned ghost story, with creaking boards and mysterious piano playing and plenty of suspense, but that can only go on for so long. How many times is it interesting to watch Grace open a door to find nothing on the other side? I got it. There are ghosts. I got it a long time before Grace did. When something finally happens, it’s far too late. The secret that dominates the end of the film is exactly where the story needed to go, though it is no great surprise. This is an excellent 30 minute movie dragged out to 100 minutes.