Reviews: The Others

[JoBlo]

JoBlo's 9/10 review of THE OTHERS can be found here: http://www.joblo.com/others.htm
Your past movie reviews from May 1998 - November 2001 can be found there as well.

And what did you think of the movie? Add your comments below.

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[Fergus]

This is the best film I have seen all summer. Nicole Kidman is in one of her best roles and does a great job playing the protective mother of her children. The director Amnebar, has conjured up an original ghost story with a great twist. The atmosphere is something from an old haunted house movie, but it's good. The development of the characters is right on target and the twist makes sense unlike some films that want to just pack it on at the end like Planet of the Apes. I’m glad at least one good movie came out before summer ended, because the bad streak has been unbearable. Amnebar is very good at his work and I look forward to seeing more of his movies in the future. ****1/2 The best film so far this year, surpassing Memento by a hair.

[SteveSzyk]

The Others 2001
Directed by: Alejandro Amenábar
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Alakina Mann, and James Bentley

http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/gallery/1109257/photo_03.jpg

The Others is yet another in a long list of great horror movies of the new millennium. I have always loved ghost stories, and this film has easily become my favorite ghost story ever. It's like one of the great old black and white ghost stories but better. It takes you on a slow, and uncomfortable ride.

The story is simple. Grace lives in a mansion with her two children, both allergic to sunlight. That little twist on the story was just great. It makes the film completely opposite than other ghost stories, with Grace not afraid of the dark, and making sure to keep the light out, to save her children. This provides us with a very creepy, and dark atmosphere. Plus the mansion is also a creepy place. Not to mention, that in the film everyone who enters the house, must close the previous door, before opening the next.

Nicole Kidman is perfectly cast in The Others. This may be one of her best performances ever (She was also great in this years Moulin Rouge). She was really very believable in the part. The two kids in this film were also fantastic. Alakina Mann as Anne was terrific. She played the bullying sister great. She and James Bently, who played Nicolas, really seemed like siblings. Awesome job by both. Halley Joel Osment better watch his back! Fionnula Flanagan was also fantastic as Mrs. Mills. She really creeped me out, and I didn't know where she stood. Was she good or bad? I didn't know, but her acting was right on the ball.

Alejandro Anemabar directed The Others with such atmosphere. The dark lighting is creepy, and the cinematography is beautiful. This guy's has got a bright future. To accompany all the atmosphere we get a fabulous score by the director, Alejandro Amenabar. The music is creepy, and really adds to the feel of a 50's ghost story. It also sets the mood of the film, and makes the scary scenes, even scarier. The score is fabulous. Not only did Alejandro Amenabar direct, and score, but he wrote the great, and well-developed screenplay.

The Others is not without a great twist ending, that should shock everyone. I did not see it coming, and it's such an original concept to use in a ghost story. It worked well, and I was speechless after the film. Outstanding finale.

This film is yet another horror film that proves that big budget special effects suck! This film is scary, and it only had a $17m budget. The Others did great at the box office, and deserved every buck it earned. It's a creepy film, that has its very scary moments. This is a film that will not be forgotten. It'll be stuck in my mind for a long time. This really reminded me of an old 40's or 50's film. I highly recommend this film to every fan of ghost stories.

The Others: 10/10, A+

[Benny]

The Others is my third favorite film of the year so far. It's a classy, sleek, sophisticated horror movie, and best of all it has Nicole Kidman, who is great in a role which could easily be nominated for an Oscar come February! The two children in the movie also did a fantastic job. Throughout the movie, Alejandro Amenábar's directing reminded me of a Hitchcock film from the 50's or 60's. There were many scary parts, especially for a PG-13 movie, and I even jumped at one scene. The ending is quite a twist too. I highly recommend this movie, it's quite fun and very well done. 9/10

[VladimirSivacki]

A great, spooky thriller backed with a paced script and good acting. Kidman runs this flick solo, from the beginning to the fantastic ending. If you like "ghost/haunted house" movies this will probably be one of your all-time favourites, if you don't, it might change your mind. Overall 8/10.

[urbanlegend23]

One word aptly describes this movie: horrifying. The Others is a splendid film, and a horrifying one. I am absolutely sure this movie will be the scariest experience on film for the year, and it beats of such scare-fests as What Lies Beneath and The Exorcist in the spook factor. This movie would certainly earn a 10/10 in that area! The movie earned a 9/10 in the overall quality and enjoyable area because of its ending. This movie was getting a 10/10, but when the ending came, however clever it was, ruined that score. I just thought the style of the movie completely disappeared when the final reel came. However, the rest of the movie is ingenious, mysterious, scary and extremely clever. Nicole Kidman gives a stunner of a performance as the isolated mother Grace. She acts scared brilliantly! I haven’t been a fan of hers really but after Moulin Rouge I was intrigued to see if she could continue choosing good movies and giving much better performances than she was in the early 1990’s. Well, Nicole, 2001 is your year! In this movie, Nicole is able to pull of plenty of emotions and be completely realistic and endlessly stay in character. Nicole, you’ve earned one more fan! The director uses his dreamy ideas and things we know we’re all scared of but never admit to believing to make this movie a complete pleasure and always an eerie and dark one to watch. Overall, I thought this movie was absolutely 10/10 material, but after the ending, I put it down a point for almost copying The Sixth Sense’s idea. But I still love the movie and look forward to a second viewing. This is one heck of a scary ride, so be prepared!

The Others - 9/10

[This message has been edited by urbanlegend23 (edited 11-28-2001).]

[sloopyfan]

The Others
10/10

It is good to see a thriller that doesn't have to use a high budget, or grotesque scenes, or cliche's to scare you. The Others was brilliant. This is a very Hitchcokian thriller that creates suspense by using the audiences mind, rather than having tings pop out at you. Every thing about this movie is great it is almost minimalist, in it's presentation, less is more in this case. Nicole Kidman is quickly establishing herself as a top leading lady with two outstanding performances, first in Moulin Rouge and now in the Others. Her performance was outstanding, but so was the performances of the little kids. This movie is about as perfect as you can get and it cost very little to make. Hollywood should start taking notes.

[crazy_nick28]

THE OTHERS 10/10

This is my favourite movie I seen this is Novemeber about 5 months later hten it came out it was a suspensful movie i was at the edge of my seat I LOVED this movie! The Parts that were scary were When the sheets were gonna and the drapes , when she just woke up and other parts. I serched to net so other fans of the movie "THE OTHERS" we wont be able to purchaseit till past may http://www.joblo.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.joblo.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.joblo.com/ubb/frown.gif

-John

[Common Sense Man]

Okay guys I have to post this so it does not get all rave reviews. 4/10

I do not do this out of spite but I did not find this movie as enjoyable as you guys.

It was a decent horror flick better than most I have seen but I became bored very quickly. To say that Kidman should get an Oscar node I think is going too far.

The best Oscar performances in my opinion are the ones when you do not even realize the person is acting and you simply loose yourself in their story.

This was defiantly a Kidman vehicle and it wore me down after a while as nothing much was happening except her constant whining and crying and bitching.

Maybe I have just seen too many movies, if that is possible. But I knew most of the plot before it happened. And if you did not know the help where ghosts you where in the small minority.

I had the surprise ending figured out about half way into the flick and from then on it was simply waiting for the surprise to be revealed.

I must admit I was getting interested towards the end during the séance scene but it was cut way to short, I had waited for that reveal for what seemed like hours and then they quickly glance over it.

And again my beef with the studios comes to the fore as the trailer exposed one of the few good scenes in the movie making it anti-climactic when it occurred in the film.

I actually had more fun watching the people cringe while she walked around the house than I did watching the movie.

Maybe I am jaded but I did not find much of it spooky. And I do like suspense and I do not think you need slashing and graphic blood to make it scary but they need more than sheets on furniture!

I most likely will never see this flick again and will remain in the minority.

It is worth the rental and I would suggest turning off all the lights watching it at midnight and leaving a couple of windows in your place open on a windy night.

This may help increase the atmosphere enough to make this a good scare.

Out......

[The1TrueFrog]

The Others - 7/10.

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/miramax_films/the_others/nicole_kidman/others.jpg

I won't give away anything here, because even the slightest detail could spoil a movie as great as this. The only thing I will tell you is, grab a snack and chill for the first part of it, because it's a slow starter. But once the story is beginning to come to life, you'll be amazed at what happens next. Very comparable to 'What Lies Benath'.

[ERIN_LoJ]

I thought this was a great film. And even though the ending was a similiar theme to the sixth sense, I don't think the ending was 'stolen' or the same at all. Just a bizarre twist with a similiar feel. I was skeptical about Kidman playing this role but she did a good job. This movie was a great addition to 90's horror, perhaps bringing back a classic style that doesn't need all the gore or special effects, just psychological effect.

[RealityBites]

I'd have to give this one the big 3/10. Why only 3 you say. Well, if you've been watching horror flicks since the 80's, you won't see anything new in this movie. A good horror movie has to have the ability to reel you in and almost make you believe in the horrific concept it is presenting to your mind. It makes you walk away questioning your reality and the eerie possibilities. After watching this movie the only question I had was, "Why did I spend $9.50 on this?", and my only eerie thought was, "What if Nicole signs on for The Others II!!!". Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Boring, cliché, that's all I have to say.

[LmpBzktSgrCarter]

This was a fun movie to go see. Nicole Kidman is my favorite actress, and I think she did a great job in this movie. Sure there weren't many special effects or gory scenes or you know, just the usual stuff... but this was an original idea for the year 2001. A fun break from the usual. I give this movie a 9/10

[CFosterKane]

This haunting and moving ghost story is not only a clever twist on the traditional ghost story, but a heart-wrenching look at the effects of loneliness and grief. The house represents all the problems Grace is going through: The death of her husband, the illness of her children- and it is in this house she hides from the truth.
The film is also a thrilling horror movie, extremely scary and masterfully created. Everything from Director Alejandro Amenabar's great directing, to the beautiful cinematography, to the brilliant acting done by Kidman and the two kids. This is a great movie I recommend to everyone.

[Jessica3000]

This was one of the best films of 2001. It delivered the aspects of a truly classic ghost story. Nicole Kidman gave an excellent performance as did the children. It was certainly an entertaining film to watch and I highly reccomend it.

8.5/10

[paperboy]

This film is truly scary! I enjoy movies about things that go "bump in the night", and I was pretty impressed with this one. The atmosphere and setting fit the story perfectly. Where better to comprehend a good ghost story than a huge creepy mansion!? Compliments go to the lucidity of the plot and the surprising end. (Even though I read other reviews here about how close the end it was to The Sixth Sense, I wasn't disappointed, I was still unexpectedly surprised.) The elements such as footsteps upstairs, creaking floors, doors slamming, whisperings, etc. were a bit cliche for frightening you but this is a ghost movie, and I must say it did well on that part. To me, this is a one-time film only... meaning you see it a second time and you won't be as frightened because you'll already know what happens and how it ends. (just like most horror films) But I think I'll get the DVD to show my friends who haven't seen it yet. They're in for a surprise! I give this one a 8/10. Nicole Kidman is quite attractive, by the way! I had to include that.

[This message has been edited by paperboy (edited 04-25-2002).]

[MovieFreak15]

The Others, being one of my favorite movies of 2002, was a great thrill-ride that didn't scare me, yet left me with a sense of chills. The film was suspenseful without being scary and terrifying without being gory. I was pleasantly surprised by the film and I think that Nicole Kidman gives one of her best (if not her best performance). It is amazing how few characters and how little sets there are in this movie. I was very glad that this film reached box-office glory. It just goes to show that people still have decent tastes in movies (my faith in humanity has been restored). The few problems that I did have with this film was the father character. I didn't think that his character was developed or explained enough at all. On the other hand, I am glad that they did not dwell on his character as much as I thought that they would. The children in this movie also give surprisingly good performances (usually I can't stand child actors), but they were very good. A good and enjoyable film. 8/10.

[Ghostface 2000]

I wanted to see The Others for ages and when i finally did i was not dispointed, this movie is great, i really enjoyed it's definatly worth seeing. I liked the creepy feeling to this movie which gave it a great effect. There isn't many jumps in this movie, i think there is only 1 and thats the closet scene which scared me to death. Nicole Kidman puts in another great perfromance as they crazy loving mum. The 2 kids are also very good actors who i think could go far. This movie also has the best twist at the end which you won't expect.

Overall a very good movie, which has a very errie feel to it.

9/10

[A Canadian ThereWolf]

The Others
http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/gallery/1109257/photo_03.jpg
Critique: *****

An elegant ghost story, superbly crafted by Alejandro Amenabar, that takes it's time to tell it's tale well!
Nicole Kidman gives an amazing performance in a genuinely creepy and atmospheric film, that puts its emphasis on supsense, instead of special effects, gore, or cheap thrills!
It is also one of the few horror films to be only rated PG-13, and still be able to jump start your heart, and send your stomach to your throat!
It's quite a haunting experience, and the best film of 2001!

[This message has been edited by A Canadian ThereWolf (edited 04-09-2002).]

[xirtam]

***SOME SPOILERS!***

Okay, I know soooo many of you LOVED it, and so did pretty much all my friends, but I didn't think it was THAT good. Don't kill me, but I was actually kind of bored in the first hour or so. Nothing at all was happening!! The furniture-covered-with-sheets scene just wasn't scary at all, not even a little bit. The scene with the door actually made me laugh a little bit. I admit, the scene with the old lady in the wedding dress was pretty tense, even though I saw it millions of times in the trailers, and the scene in the closet was pretty scary. But other than the closet scene, the whole climax (not to mention the rest of the movie) didn't scare me at all, I wasn't even creeped out.

The twist at the end was very very similar to The Sixth Sense, and through the whole movie I was just guessing what the twist might be, instead of actually being immersed in the film. I did guess the twist at the end and I was a little bit surprised, not because of what the twist was, but because I was right, and because of how close it was to that other movie.

Well, I just went over just about every scary scene in the movie, and despite the lack of scariness, I was a little bit interested in the movie, which is why I give the movie 6 out of 10.

6/10

[Mike]

When I first saw a TV spot for this movie last summer I thought it looked like shit, it looked very laughable. Then I kept seeing them and guess what? My opinion didn't change. So I was shocked as all hell when I went to www.rottentomatoes.com (http://www.rottentomatoes.com) the Friday it opened and saw all of the positive critic
reviews it received. I honestly never expected that. And then everyone kept saying it was so great and were raving about it, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The movie looked so bad based on the TV spots. I had numerous chances to see it in theaters but I never did. Even with all of the positive reviews it got I still couldn't bring myself to actually purchase a ticket and go see it. Plus, I hate HYPE and when a movie gets hyped up a lot I usually don't like it because you find yourself expecting too much and then you get disappointed. That happened with The Sixth Sense, EVERYONE kept saying how great it was but when I actually saw it on video I was really disappointed and didn't think it was anything special at all. Of course that could have something to do with the fact that I had the ending ruined for me before I saw it so it had no surprises whatsoever when I watched it.
When The Others was in theaters I had said I'd check it out on video. Well, when it came out on video this last week I wasn't very excited about it at all. Yet I was still going to rent it so I could see what all the fuss was about. But just like The Sixth Sense I had the ending to this ruined for me as well. So that was another reason I didn't see the point in watching it because it wouldn't be worth it since I already knew
the big twist ending, and if I had that ruined for me then it would be kind of pointless to watch. Having the ending to The Sixth Sense ruined for me basically wrecked the whole movie and as a result I didn't find it that great.

But to my surprise The Others wasn't just a one twist movie like The Sixth Sense and it had a couple extra twists that I wasn't aware of before watching it. Therefore I enjoyed the movie a lot more and I had a lot of fun trying to figure out how the ending I had heard about would fit into the movie. So I had one twist ruined for me, and it was the biggest one of them all, but it still had a few tricks up it's sleeve that overall were very satisfying.

Even with all the hype I still didn't expect much from this movie. And now I'm grateful that I didn't expect much because I ended up really digging it. It was not what I expected at all and was a real treat to watch. It was creepy as hell. I hardly ever get scared from movies but this one managed to get the best of me and it had my stomach in knots. And even when the movie was over I was creeped out for about a half an hour. All of the acting was great, Nicole Kidman was very good and she'd did a great job at making you like her, then think she was a nutjob, then like her, then think she was a nutjob, etc... But overall in the end I liked her character. The kids also did a great job, mainly the little girl since she had a lot more to work with. And the servants were also great and managed to freak me out. The silent scenes in the movie were the true frightening moments. Instead of loud music making you jump you had to sit through the silence not knowing what or when something was going to happen. And the atmosphere was great, all of the fog was a nice touch and the night scenes were creepy as hell. I also loved the old fashioned look of the movie, it almost looked and felt like you were watching a movie from the 50's. With the color of the movie being so plain
and the outfits and hairdos the way they were the movie ended up having a unique look to it. I also loved the accents, they were so amusing and I don't think the movie would have been as good without them.

The Others managed to surprise me and turned out to be a very enjoyable old fashioned ghost story. I was interested the whole time and never bored once. I'll admit to laughing at it during a few scenes mostly in the first half of it, just because the mother (Nicole Kidman) acted a little crazy and was so naive. But the movie is anything but laughable. It's a very well done adult drama/horror/thriller that shouldn't be missed.

I will be buying the DVD for sure, there's no doubt about it.

Grade: 9/10 or A

[Cyclonus]

Just finished watching it. The Others is a well-crafted, if leisurely paced, ghost flick with a standout Kidman performance. It works. It doesn't inspire, but it works. The ending is kinda like The Sixth Sense though.

7/10.

[teekay]

I just watched this last night with my hubby. I don't usually watch horror movies, just cuz they stick with me for too long. But hubby is a major Kidman fan, so I thought I would earn some points.

This move had me so creeped out that I almost turned it off. But hubby has this philosophy... If you don't see the ending, the movie will haunt you longer. I thought, there is no way that movie can end well. No way. Well, when we got to the seance scene, my jaw hit the floor. We spent half the night going back over scenes that suddenly meant something entirely different. We're gonna watch it again tonight - I can't wait!

[SummerTime7665]

Honestly, this movie was absolutely the most fabulous scary movie of the year. It was exciting and sooooooo creepy. I was plugging my ears and gripping my best friend's arm throughout the entire movie. Nicole Kidman is a fabulous actress and I have yet to see her make a truly bad movie. The kids were cute too. The thing that truly made this movie amazing was the ending. Endings are everything and this one takes the cake. It was a surprise that I never saw coming and totally shocked me. I love movies that change everything you think you know and grow so comfortable with as the characters develop. I loved the creepy visions and the faint whispers on the air. Slamming doors even scare you to death and everyone involved in this movie did a truly spectacular job. It's so simple in some ways, but much more complex than you would think. The characters are well-created and develope well. The only part that didn't quite make sense was her husband's weird attitude. But nevertheless, it was a masterpiece and I enjoyed every chilling minute of it. Creeeeee-eeepy! 10/10

[rockerbaby604]

The Others is a great oldfashioned haunted house film. Nicole gives a amazing performace as Grace the overly religous mother and the two children performaces were great and on target though out the film. Great film and twisted ending. 10/10

[kubotakhan01]

I'm kind of impartial to this film. I liked it, but I didn't love it. The ending was very well done, although I suspected that that was going on about midway through the film. But the build up to the good ending was simply very dull to me. I saw it once, enjoyed it, now I never have to see it again.
RATING 7/10

[Jayen]

The movie, on the strength of its script, and smart camera play, deserves some form of ovation. Here we have a real ghost story not unlike that of early Carpenter works, i.e. where the chill really gets up your spine, no cheap thrills which has plagued horror movies of late, and yes! Another fantastic ending ala "Sixth Sense". Well, the only thing is, since the latter was first on the block, it would claim originality to "movies-ending-with-a-twist" type of stories.

And what a director. Man, Alejandro Amenabar knew how to capture "chilling" moments - his use of atmosphere & lighting was fantastic. The scene where a man's face appears at the background when Nicole's character is investigating the house, which later is actually a potrait, was pure genius. This is totally unexpected. You gotta give it to the horror genre - despite some of the lame ducks coming out from Hollywood's engine room of late, the genre still gives ample room for creative excursions..remember the opening scene in "Urban Legend"?

Well, coming to the acting. And as much as I know that a number of folks out there are lauding Ms Kidman's performance, I for one, thought otherwise.

There were a few things which I felt was lacking from here: her timing was off couple of times; her facial expression and her vocal delivery did not elicit an attachment to her character which should have been the case, considering her plight. There was no sadness evoked by her delivery & I don't think it was the script's fault in so much as her capabilities as an actress. The one weakness I did see in the script was getting her dressed as Nicole Kidman would, rather than what the character should. I mean, hints of Nicole's usual glamour was clearly on display with the costume choices.

The powerhouse though, and gladly, was Ms Fionnula Flanagan. Man, what a performance! Her character development was fantastic. She managed to solicit the appropriate emotive response at the right places; from the motherly soul in the beginning, to the cold, chillful looks of her eyes & words towards the end.

For me, she stood head & shoulders above the rest. The other worthy effort to be mentioned is without a doubt , Alakina Mann, She carried her "bullying brat" perfect poitch, and I am crossing my fingers that she will be seen in future.

[zsofika]

the movie's attempted to project both the idea of eternal
recurrance...and children who can not be exposed to light..
and the love..and frustration that comes out of this...good
attempt.....abit confusing kidman has alot of good maternal
energy in her acting.....much more intelligent then her ex
husband's shallow definition of her....will mature well...in her
acting......ending up feeling very empathetic to parents in
this position in life....bravo....had never really seriously con-
sidered...these children and how...strange life must be....
without sunlight

[Dude]

The Others: 9/10

One the BEST supernatural films I have seen. The surprise ending is as good as Sixth Sense... and when we do know what is going on, these 2 films are so well constructed we still watch them again and again. Kidman is enitirely believeable as a post war wife and mother trying to hold her family together. I loved the religious symbolism throughout... the whole thing was a metaphor for atonement, grace, forgiveness and alternate forms of purgatory. One of the best ghost stories I've encountered. Those child actors were BEYOND GREAT as well! For an EXTRA treat, try watching this period piece with the color turned all the way down. It gives the feeling of watching an old Universal studio ghost movie. ;)

[bigred760]

Just saw The Others on DVD and it was very impressive. I especially liked the lighting - which according to the plot - was necessary. Unfortunately, I knew that a twisted ending was coming, so I prepared myself for it. I was spoiled. It did throw me for a loop though. Was also impressed by Nicole Kidman and the young actress that played her daughter.

A lot of things made sense after realizing what was going on - with the ending, obviously - but there was a thing or two that just didn't register. I won't say what it is because I might give something away to somebody who hasn't seen it - even though it's been released for like 2-3 years now.

This flick reminded me a lot of The Sixth Sense with its overall creepiness and suprise ending.

8/10

[Sugar_Kane]

I quite liked The Others, it didn't need flashy special effects and the darkness in the old, isolated house worked well to create an atmosphere, I liked the plot twist, although I've seen it before and kind of saw it coming but it did have a good ending. The acting was very good but sometimes I think that Nicole Kidman went a bit over the top, also there wasn't a big cast which I liked.
Overall, I enjoyed this film and I think that people should see it, and I think that big fans of horror would really like it.
I give it an 8/10.