Stoker

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Another in the Matthew Goode binge watch of 2014. Stoker is a 2013 mystery/thriller film about a quiet, teenage girl whose father dies and the strange familial interactions that subsequently occurs. Written by Wentworth Miller, lead actor of FOX’s 2003 series Prison Break (which I was addicted to up until the 3rd season because *spoiler* post prison break activities can only be plausible and entertaining for sooo long) and directed by acclaimed director Chan-wook Park who directed a little film in 2003 called Old Boy that people seem to lose their minds over (I still haven’t seen it); Stoker is a subtle study about being born with a predisposition for evil. 

Stoker – the family name of the main characters, may have been chosen as a reference to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, in part because this movie is creepy and people die and the killer is charming, but I doubt it. Then again, what would I know, I neither read Dracula nor watched the movie – a tragedy, I’m sure.

In this movie, Matthew Goode plays Uncle Charlie who comes to stay with the main character,, India (Mia Wasikowska) and her mother (Nicole Kidman) after the death of her father, with whom she was very close, and who strangely enough died on her 18th birthday. As the story develops you realize just how strange and anti-social the entire family is, each individual strange in their own way, developing relationships with each other that are different and yet similar; and which ultimately seeks to fulfill the basic human needs of being wanted, belonging and being understood.

Beautifully shot and with great imagery, the movie was at times a bit slow but with that said you do get more from the characters from what they don’t say. Their expressions, actions, wardrobe and surroundings play a much greater part in the viewer’s understanding than the actual dialogue which is really not that much. Add to that, the fact that each twist seemed to be a revelation of the nature of each character was what made it such an interesting watch.

Did you watch Stoker? What was the biggest twist/shocker and was there any part of it you didn’t like?