Stoker

Cast of Characters:

India Stoker - Mia Wasikowska

Charlie Stoker - Matthew Goode

Richard Stoker - Dermot Mulroney

Aunt Gwendolyn "Gin" Stoker - Jacki Weaver

Evelyn Stoker - Nicole Kidman

Director - Park Chan-wook

Screenplay - Wentworth Miller

Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content

      Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode and Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman team up with South Korean director Park Chan-wook in the psychological thriller Stoker.

      On her 18th birthday, India Stoker's (Mia Wasikowska) life is turned upside down after the death of her father Richard (Dermot Mulroney) in a car accident. This leaves India with only her estranged, unstable mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman). At Richard's funeral, both India and Evelyn are introduced to Richard's extremely charming brother Charlie (Matthew Goode), who has spent most of his life as a world traveler. Seeing that India and Evelyn are need of support following this family tragedy of theirs, Charlie decides to move in with them. Although this is met with much delight from Evelyn, India has her doubts.

      India's suspicion about her Uncle Charlie remains following the disappearance of her caretaker. Her suspicions are also shared by Great Aunt Gwendolyn (Jacki Weaver), a visiting relative who's more than skeptical about Charlie's so called "world travels".

      This movie actually opened up earlier in the year around February-March, and it was on my radar of films I really wanted to see. Celebration Cinema nearby, however, clearly felt G.I. Joe: Retaliation was more deserving of three individual screens. That being said, this film was clearly worth the wait as this is one dark and twisted thriller. Director Park Chan-wook is clearly a talented filmmaker bringing enough stylish chills and visual spark to this maddening story by Wentworth Miller of murder. While some may feel the two are glamorizing violence, I feel this is simply a stylish look at how the dark side of human nature can take over one's life, and it's executed brilliantly. Mia Wasikowska continues to grow as a young actress in quiet and chilling role. Nicole Kidman gives one of her best performances that I've seen from her in years, and Matthew Goode shows once again why he's one of the most criminally underrated actors today. I felt his performance in the excellent film The Lookout was worthy of a supporting actor Oscar nomination, and here he delivers another stellar performance.

      All things considered, the story arc concerning Aunt Gwendolyn seemed out of place. That is in no way a reflection of Jacki Weaver who's a fantastic actress (she was wonderful in her Oscar nominated role in Silver Lining's Playbook). I just felt even without that story angle, the film still could've flowed together smoothly, and the character really wasn't all that needed. In spite of that minor flaw which does keep it from achieving perfection, this is still a great and unforgettable psychological thriller in the vein of Hitchcock. The film just came out on DVD this week. I strongly recommend you look it up. I give Stoker an A- (★★★½).