The Ward (2010)

A thriller centered on an institutionalized young woman who becomes terrorized by a ghost.

Director:

John Carpenter

Writers:

Michael Rasmussen, Shawn Rasmussen

Stars:

Amber Heard, Mamie Gummer, Danielle Panabaker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amber Heard	...	Kristen
Mamie Gummer	...	Emily
Danielle Panabaker	...	Sarah
Laura-Leigh	...	Zoey
Lyndsy Fonseca	...	Iris
Mika Boorem	...	Alice
Jared Harris	...	Dr. Gerald Stringer
Sali Sayler	...	Tammy
Susanna Burney	...	Nurse Lundt
D.R. Anderson	...	Roy (as Dan Anderson)
Sean Cook	...	Jimmy
Jillian Kramer	...	Ghost Alice
Mark Chamberlin	...	Mr. Hudson
Andrea Petty	...	Mrs. Hudson (as Andrea L. Petty)
Tracy Schornick	...	Cop #1 (as Tracey Schornick)

Storyline

In 1966, in North Bend, Oregon, the runaway Kristen is captured by the police after burning down a farmhouse and is locked in the North Bend Psychiatric Hospital. Kristen is introduced to Dr. Gerald Stringer, who uses experimental therapy. Then she meets the inmates Emily, Sarah, Zoey and Iris and the tough nurse Lundt. During the night and in the shower later, Kristen sees the ghost of a woman and she learns that she is Alice Leigh Hudson, a mysterious wicked intern that has disappeared. When Iris is ready to go home, she is attacked by the ghost of Alice in the basement and murdered. She vanishes and the inmates decide to seek Iris out. Then Sarah is abducted by the Alice and also killed; the next one is Emily. Meanwhile Kristen escapes from her room and meets Zoey, expecting to protect her. However, Zoey is kidnapped by Alice and Kristen runs to Dr. Stringer's office. She snoops his desk and finds a report with the truth about Alice.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | therapy | nurse | psychiatric hospital | farmhouse | 

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Taglines:

Only Sanity Can Keep You Alive

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 2011 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's The Ward

Filming Locations:

Des Moines, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

FilmNation Entertainment, Premiere Picture, Echo Lake Productions (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the audio commentary, Jared Harris asks John Carpenter why he did not compose the soundtrack, John replied "quite frankly, I'm just too old."

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Goofs

Shortly after the ghost cuts the girl's throat, Dr. Stringer is holding Kristen while the nurse is giving her a shot. When it cuts to a close up of the shot, Dr. Stringer is gone, then reappears after the camera cuts back.

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Quotes

Dr. Stringer: What's the first thing you remember?
Kristen: Fire

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Connections

Features Tormented (1960)

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Soundtracks

"Andante"
Arranged by Ron Ronsted
Courtesy of APM Music

User Reviews

Great work!

I just finished this movie right now and I must say... This is another fantastic job done by John Carpenter. This movie was very interesting and entertaining at the same time which I don't find much. This is a movie that you really have to pay a lot of attention while watching to understand the full story. I thought I knew what was coming in the movie but after a while I realized I had no idea whatsoever which I also enjoyed. This wasn't exactly scary but it was very good nonetheless. I would recommend watching this but you need to pay attention. I did like this movie and would possibly purchase it. I give The Ward a 8 out of 10.

~Joe