This Nicole Kidman Movie Refreshed the Supernatural Horror Genre
- Nicole Kidman shined in The Others, showcasing a captivating and suspenseful performance.
- The characters' development and the unexpected ending make the movie stand out.
- The success of The Others revitalized old-fashioned ghost stories in horror, proving the enduring appeal of the genre.
Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman has long been an outstanding performer, covering a wide range of film and TV shows, with The Others proving her aptitude for horror. The film is set at the end of World War 2 and follows a mother, Grace (Kidman), and her two children, Anne and Nicholas, who move to a new house in Jersey. Grace doesn't know what's happened to her missing husband, awaiting news of his whereabouts. In the meantime, she keeps her children protected from the sun, as they suffer from an extreme sensitivity to light. Anne believes that she can see ghosts, and Grace grows suspicious of the house servants, thinking they're playing tricks. However, as the intensity of the film builds, it seems that there is far more to Grace's household and life than she realizes.
Kidman's performance in the horror-mystery movie provided everything that was needed for the genre. She was compelling, cold but unstable, and filled viewers with unnerving suspense as she crept through the narrative. The haunted house storyline kept the location fixed on where Grace and her children were living. As such, there was a strong responsibility that fell to the actors to make sure the film was entertaining enough. And it truly was. Kidman conveyed how over-protective Grace was, tied in with her losing grip on what was happening in her new home. The time period being placed around World War II made the movie all the more chilling, especially with Grace awaiting news on her husband. One of the best traits of The Others is that the ending is by no means a let-down. It adds an unexpected twist that comes as a surprise because of how the acting and direction keep audiences looking down the wrong path the whole time, something that a well-crafted haunted house movie can do.
Haunted House Movies Used to Be Huge Hits in Horror
The cast of the Cat and the Canary looking panicked
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Ghost stories have been around for hundreds of years, keeping people questioning what lives in the supernatural realm. Seemingly, the horror movie acknowledged as being the first one to kick-start a long line of films centered around a haunted house is 1927's The Cat and the Canary. Based on a play from 1922 of the same name, the story is of a dying millionaire, and his money-focused relatives, who are confronted with his haunted mansion. The film was generally praised, upholding the high, atmospheric standard that the stageplay had already set. In 1959, House on Haunted Hill was released, which depicted a millionaire inviting people to a haunted house with the prospect of winning $10,000 if they make it through the night. The film later received a remake in 1999, which wasn't as well-received as its predecessor. Just a few years later, in 1963, The Haunting came out. This time, the narrative was led by a scientist who wants to investigate paranormal goings-on in a mansion. Each of the aforementioned movies wasn't completely unique in their plots, yet they made a mark on the genre and still hit good ratings today.
Haunted houses have become part of classic horror movies because they provide supernatural plots that audiences can somewhat connect to. The thrill of watching characters having to combat something that lives beyond normal life leaves viewers to ponder what they would do in certain situations. Plus, there's something a lot more conceivable about a house being haunted instead of a monster lurking in the shadows. Even for those who don't believe in anything supernatural, if a haunted-house film is good enough, it can make the non-believing viewers consider "what if?" These types of movies often don't require a lot of location changes for the obvious reason that they're set in one house. The focus on one place can be a bonus, as it builds intensity instead of flitting from various locations that break up the suspense. But, with the ever-developing world of film and cinema, haunted-house movies took a back-seat for a while as the horror genre continued to develop.
The Others Brought Old-Fashioned Ghost Stories Back to the Forefront of Horror
Horror Movies The Others Horror Marionette
- The Others leaned heavily into gothic Victorian-era horror akin to classic ghost movies of the past.
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The Others was a success and served as a reminder that old-fashioned ghost stories (if made well) will always have a place in horror. There's no denying that many of the characteristics of the movie can be found in the horrors that came before it, but every aspect was delivered professionally. From the outset, The Others feels claustrophobic and panic-stricken, even when there's nothing to panic about. The eeriness of the relentless, gray mist that hovered around the house was a subtle but firm indicator of the darkness that loomed. Indeed, the likes of creaky floorboards and a piano playing without a pianist weren't invented by the film. However, when these typical tropes were combined with the curtains constantly being drawn because of the children's sensitivity to light or Grace awaiting news of her husband, the creators showed that the haunted-house subgenre could take paths that would still leave audiences guessing at the outcome.
The early 2000s was rife with horror movies that fell into sci-fi or action categories. 28 Days Later saw Cillian Murphy as Jim, waking up in London to a deadly virus that had wiped out the while 30 Days of Nights watched vampires attack an Alaskan town. The Others stood out among such movies, with an understated presence that caught the eye of horror fanatics and continues to do so. It became proof of why film creators needn't turn their backs on the overarching narrative that has been done time and again. In fact, the only part that should remain the same is the core location being a haunted house. Other than that, the ghost story plot has scope for original material to be generated, and with all the right cogs in a spooky machine, audiences can be pushed to the edge of their seats with a good old-fashioned ghost story.
Since The Others, Ghost Movies Have Evolved
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As with all genres, ghost movies have evolved. The development of technology has given all styles of film the chance to take their effects up a level, but the stories themselves have also been pushed further. In 2020, Host made the most of modern technology by setting the whole film on a Zoom call. A group of young people unintentionally awaken a supernatural being after conducting a seance, causing horrifying occurrences to unfold. Even though they date back a few decades, found footage films have also been carried into today's supernatural plots, with Late Night with the Devil airing last year. Both examples have shown the routes that ghost stories have been able to take, and how they have evolved since The Others. However, The Others still holds up just as well as anything new that comes along. Even with the period it's set in, the film doesn't come across as dated or irrelevant. Quite the opposite.
Kidman was essential in drawing viewers in, keeping their attention, and ensuring that they wouldn't turn away from the film for being overly dramatic or too fake. Her reactions and emotions became a big part of what kept it so entertaining, as audiences saw what was going on through her eyes. Overall, the film showcased what can be done with ghost story movies. The haunted house setting is one that film buffs don't seem to tire of, notwithstanding that it still has to be surrounded by an engrossing plot. People learn of ghost stories from early on in their childhoods. They're regularly repeated and, for adults, have the potential to be shrugged off as immature. The genius of The Others brings back the familiar fear felt when hearing a haunted house story as a child. Questions arise that some may have thought they left behind in their school days. Above all else, The Others is thought-provoking and convincing enough to pose the notion, even for a split second, that it could really happen.
Nicole Kidman holds a candle as shadows loom on The Others poster
The Others
In 1945, immediately following the end of Second World War, a woman who lives with her two photosensitive children on her darkened old family estate in the Channel Islands becomes convinced that the home is haunted.
Director Alejandro AmenbarRelease Date August 10, 2001Studio Miramax FilmsCast Christopher Eccleston, Nicole Kidman, Fionnula FlanaganWriters Alejandro AmenbarRating PG-13Runtime 1 hour 44 minutesMain Genre Horror