16-year-old Beckett Warner (a fine and appealing performance by Sophie Curtis) enrolls in an exclusive private school in the wake of her mother's sudden tragic death. Beckett discovers that several fetching female staff members are harboring a dark secret.
Director Hilary Brougher relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, ably crafts an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, grounds the fantastic premise in a believable everyday reality, and generates a good deal of tension. Moreover, it's refreshing to see a horror movie of current vintage that eschews excessive gore in favor of putting more emphasis on mood and characters. The solid acting by the sturdy cast further keeps things humming: Kelly Reilly as sexy, but sinister nurse Pamela Hamilton, Linus Roache as Beckett's perplexed dad Miles, Graham Phillips as hunky nice guy Tobey Crawford, Sarah Sutherland as spunky gal pal Jen Dunham, Stephanie March as the frosty Natalie, Perrey Reeves as the alcoholic Ava, Liya Kebede as friendly principal Moira Neal, Sarita Choudhury as probing shrink Dr. Vera Kent, and Annie Q. as the snooty Chloe Murray. David Rush Morrison's sumptuous cinematography provides a pleasing polished look. the shivery score by tomandandy hits the shuddery spot. A nifty little fright film.
Director Hilary Brougher relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, ably crafts an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, grounds the fantastic premise in a believable everyday reality, and generates a good deal of tension. Moreover, it's refreshing to see a horror movie of current vintage that eschews excessive gore in favor of putting more emphasis on mood and characters. The solid acting by the sturdy cast further keeps things humming: Kelly Reilly as sexy, but sinister nurse Pamela Hamilton, Linus Roache as Beckett's perplexed dad Miles, Graham Phillips as hunky nice guy Tobey Crawford, Sarah Sutherland as spunky gal pal Jen Dunham, Stephanie March as the frosty Natalie, Perrey Reeves as the alcoholic Ava, Liya Kebede as friendly principal Moira Neal, Sarita Choudhury as probing shrink Dr. Vera Kent, and Annie Q. as the snooty Chloe Murray. David Rush Morrison's sumptuous cinematography provides a pleasing polished look. the shivery score by tomandandy hits the shuddery spot. A nifty little fright film.