IMDb > The Uninvited (2009/I)
The Uninvited
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Uninvited (2009/I) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 37 | slideshow) Videos (see all 23)
The Uninvited (2009) -- This is the first theatrical trailer for The Uninvited, directed by Charles and Thomas Guard.
The Uninvited (2009) -- Clip: Step monster
The Uninvited (2009) -- Interview: Elizabeth Banks "On playing a villain"
The Uninvited (2009) -- Home video trailer for this suspense thriller
The Uninvited (2009) -- Home video trailer for this suspense thriller

Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   12,590 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
Craig Rosenberg (screenplay) and
Doug Miro (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Uninvited on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 January 2009 (USA) more
Tagline:
Fear moves in more
Plot:
Anna Rydell returns home to her sister (and best friend) Alex after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother, aloof father, and the presence of a ghost in their home. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(177 articles)
Kieron’s Top 13 Films of 2009
 (From Reel Loop. 14 December 2009, 6:54 AM, PST)

Dear Mr. Gacy Teaser, Clip, and Q&A with William Forsythe
 (From Dread Central. 10 December 2009, 1:08 PM, PST)

User Comments:
A Nutshell Review: The Uninvited more (109 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Tale of Two Sisters (USA) (working title)
Apparition (USA) (working title)
Der Fluch der zwei Schwestern (Germany)
Les intrus (Canada: French title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violent and disturbing images, thematic material, sexual content, language and teen drinking.
Runtime:
87 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A variation of clever camera angles and forced perspective helped maintain the illusion Elizabeth Banks was several inches taller than Emily Browning who in reality is only two inches shorter. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Anna goes up to the attic, she pulls the light string and the light violently swings. In the next shot, it is perfectly still. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Matt: I love you... I have a condom.
more
Movie Connections:
References Vertigo (1958) more
Soundtrack:
The Songs That We Sing more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is there an official website?
Is "The Uninvited" a remake?
more
12 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
A Nutshell Review: The Uninvited, 9 May 2009
6/10
Author: DICK STEEL from Singapore

I haven't seen the original Tale of Two Sisters by Kim Ji-woon to begin with so I won't be able to do any meaningful comparisons. But if a remake is any indication of how the original is generally miles better, especially if done by Hollywood, hen it probably is worth my while to put the Korean horror movie in my to-watch list. After all, Kim Ji-woon's film is one of Korea's top box office draws when released.

There have been more misses than hits when Hollywood adapts what it thinks could be instant box office gold with its fountain of Asian content, and since there have been only a limited number of successful Asian horror releases in recent years, it had looked inwards and cannibalized on remaking its own shock/slasher films. This one took a long while to translate to The Uninvited, and I guess taking some 6 years indicated the filmmakers wanted to do things right instead of rushing through and come out with crap.

As such the directing duo of the Guard Brothers Charles and Thomas managed to find some balance between telling a psychological thriller, and moments where they can properly employ tricks from the usual formula book to scare an audience, with the usual light and shadows, smoke and mirrors, warped beings, decomposed bodies and jump cuts with ghouls staring down at you. Surprisingly it didn't rely on sound or lack thereof to add a further sensory dimension to set pulse racing, which I thought was a little let down in its moments to build up to the next "Boo!" If anything, the acting duo of Emily Browning (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, with pouty lips to rival Angelina Jolie's, and given special attention too in this narrative) and Arielle Kebbel shine as skimpily clad sisters Anna and Alex respectively, who have to rely on each other as they uncover the truth behind the death of their mom (Maya Massar). It doesn't help of course with Anna just being certified sane and safe to be released from a mental institution, and their suspect happens to be their nanny-turned-new-step-mom-to-be Rachel (Elizabeth Banks) whom dad (David Strathairn) intends to marry. Given the short run time of under 90 minutes, the pace is kept compact with little room wasted to pump in unnecessary subplots (unless set up just to provide an additional avenue to unleash horrific mayhem), focusing very much of the relationship between the two sisters, and their strained one with their father. Emily Browning, as the lead, of course had enough latitude to showcase a double-head snake role in being "nice" to Rachel, in order for some fishing of information.

That isn't to say there isn't any loophole that a jumbo jet can't fly through. Even if you have no background knowledge gained from the original Korean film, it is easy enough for sharp-eyed viewers, or those whose cinematic staple is horror films, to stay one step ahead and deduce just what is exactly going on. Which makes me wonder just how much it'll take for shockmeisters to scare seasoned audiences since they're getting savvier, and easily bored with the same old bag of tricks.

If anything, The Uninvited would have piqued your interest in the original, which has a longer run time and in all likelihood, the exploitation of mood and atmosphere that are quite standard tools for horror films from Asia, which is sorely lacking in this version. Nonetheless it's still one of the better Western remakes of Asian horror attempted.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (109 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Uninvited (2009/I)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
who did u feel sorry for the most? sportychick_1991
Did you figure it out? afrojas
Emily Browning and Natasha from ANTM dripx
Questions..(contains SPOILERS) msclark34
Why is everyone saying...? (Spoiler) honeybunny77062
Why did Anna kill Matt? saugustsays
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Sisters The Living and the Dead The Grudge The Fugitive Psycho
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.