I loved "Stonehearst Asylum" and consider it among the best films I've seen recently. However, I'll be honest with you--why I like it probably isn't the reason you'd like the film. As a retired therapist and psychology teacher, I love films that talk about the history of mental health treatment--and this film is set during the bad old days of mental health treatment, when asylums were practically houses of horror. Add to this that the film is based loosely (very loosely) on an Edgar Allen Poe story and you've got most of what you'd need to capture my interest. Fortunately, the film also works when it comes to the acting--and there are some really terrific performances.
The film is set at Stonehearst--a mental hospital in the middle of nowhere. The place is a fancy asylum for folks with lots of money and a new doctor (Jim Sturgess) has just arrived there. However, it soon becomes painfully clear that the man who runs the place (Ben Kingsley) just ain't right. Exactly what the problem is...well, you'll have to find that out for yourself as I would really hate to spoil the film. There are many dark secrets and twists that should catch you by surprise. Add to the equation the nice acting of Kate Beckinsale and a nice cameo by Michael Caine and you have a rather strong cast.
This movie is a terrific horror film--but not the sort of horror film you might expect. There are no supernatural or inexplicable scary people--just a lot of malevolence, menace and a complete loss of control. I'd say more...but as I mentioned above, I really don't want to spoil your viewing experience. Suffice to say that this is a very well made film--with a very strong story that would really appeal to adults. Well worth your time.
The film is set at Stonehearst--a mental hospital in the middle of nowhere. The place is a fancy asylum for folks with lots of money and a new doctor (Jim Sturgess) has just arrived there. However, it soon becomes painfully clear that the man who runs the place (Ben Kingsley) just ain't right. Exactly what the problem is...well, you'll have to find that out for yourself as I would really hate to spoil the film. There are many dark secrets and twists that should catch you by surprise. Add to the equation the nice acting of Kate Beckinsale and a nice cameo by Michael Caine and you have a rather strong cast.
This movie is a terrific horror film--but not the sort of horror film you might expect. There are no supernatural or inexplicable scary people--just a lot of malevolence, menace and a complete loss of control. I'd say more...but as I mentioned above, I really don't want to spoil your viewing experience. Suffice to say that this is a very well made film--with a very strong story that would really appeal to adults. Well worth your time.