After the death of Richard Stoker in a bizarre car accident, his brother Charlie (Matthew Goode) comes to stay with Richard's family for an extended period. Charlie is a bit of an enigma, from his initial appearance we are left in no doubt there is a dark secret lurking in his past and he is not all he seems to be.
Most of the film is viewed through the eyes of India (Mia Waskowska), Richard's daughter. India has a distrust of her uncle from the beginning, after all until now she didn't know she had an uncle. Her mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) is more trusting and seems to be falling in love, or at least in lust with him.
India discovers that the housekeeper knows something of Charlie's history. But instead of confronting her, she seemingly ignores it - despite her desperately wanting to know more of the stranger in their midst.
India and Charlie's relationship is a very strange one. At one point it is almost incestuous, at others hateful and at some points reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde.
The film develops with various plot twists and surprises, all of which add to the tension. But the twists get gradually more and more bizarre and less believable. The film's final act is completely unrealistic ultimately giving the film an unrealistic and empty feeling.
There are many good films through the years that have great promise but ultimately fail to deliver. In my opinion this is certainly one of those.
It's still a film worth watching, the cinematography is wonderful, the acting is at times very good, Wasikowsksa in particular. But, the second half of the film is all a bit of a let down.
Most of the film is viewed through the eyes of India (Mia Waskowska), Richard's daughter. India has a distrust of her uncle from the beginning, after all until now she didn't know she had an uncle. Her mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) is more trusting and seems to be falling in love, or at least in lust with him.
India discovers that the housekeeper knows something of Charlie's history. But instead of confronting her, she seemingly ignores it - despite her desperately wanting to know more of the stranger in their midst.
India and Charlie's relationship is a very strange one. At one point it is almost incestuous, at others hateful and at some points reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde.
The film develops with various plot twists and surprises, all of which add to the tension. But the twists get gradually more and more bizarre and less believable. The film's final act is completely unrealistic ultimately giving the film an unrealistic and empty feeling.
There are many good films through the years that have great promise but ultimately fail to deliver. In my opinion this is certainly one of those.
It's still a film worth watching, the cinematography is wonderful, the acting is at times very good, Wasikowsksa in particular. But, the second half of the film is all a bit of a let down.