After watching this film, you will most likely feel disturbed and uncomfortable. Stoker is about a young girl named India Stoker, whose father dies on her eighteenth birthday. Her uncle Charlie, whom she never knew existed, comes to stay with her and her mother, Evelyn. Soon after Charlie’s arrival, people begin disappearing, family secrets are revealed, and India finds herself stepping into her uncle’s shoes. There’s some big star power in this film; Mia Wasikowska plays India Stoker, Nicole Kidman stars as her mother, Matthew Goode plays Uncle Charlie, and we also see Dermot Mulroney briefly.
Mia Wasikowska was impressive in this new role-she reminds me a lot of young Christina Ricci as Wednesday Adams, but with a darker, sexual twist. From the get-go she is obviously unlike others her age, and although her actions are sometimes questionable, her character is very likable-an anti-hero of sorts. Matthew Goode is Charlie, the uncle. He has a sort of Benedict Cumberbatch air about him-attractive yet dangerous. His charm and playfulness make him a likable character despite his damnable actions. Nicole Kidman sticks to her usual role as an elegant woman, and although she seems silly and forgettable in the beginning, her character will surprise you in the end.
The cinematography is ridiculously mesmerizing yet simple. There are time lapses in this film, where the director shows you the future, past and present all out of order, but you are never left confused or without information. They are tantalizing enough to leave you wanting more, yet not hard to follow and very conclusive.
I say this film is original, and some of you may be skeptical about that, with good reason undoubtedly, but I assure you that it is. Perhaps there are other movies out there similar to this one that I have not seen, but personally I believe that this is a gem all its own. I feel the key to this is its timelessness; throughout the entire film you are only told once what year it is, and although there are other clues such as the clothing of “normal” characters out on the street, there are very few hints as to where and when the film is set. The music, the houses, the clothes, the speech and mannerisms-everything throws you off of what time period it is. I myself still don’t believe that it was supposed to be set in the year that it is-which I won’t tell you because when you figure it out you’ll be blown away too. Also, I have to mention that the credits run backwards at the end of the film! This may seem trivial and unimportant, but you movie-goers out there will understand how that fact alone sets this film apart from the others-everything is different.
I would rate this film 4 out of 5 turtles because 5 turtles is the unicorn, impossible to achieve. This movie is original, beautiful, and so subtle that even after watching it twice, I notice things I didn’t notice before. It is more than worth paying the money to see in theater, large popcorn and all, or to own. It is rated R, and for good reason, so I wouldn’t let children see it unless they are 16+, and mature for their age. The reason this movie is rated R is because it has violent content and brief, disturbing sexual content. And yes, I do mean the sexual content is disturbing. You will also see 3 deaths throughout the whole film, while there are others that are implied.
My only warning before purchasing this film is to promise that you will watch it more than once. This is absolutely necessary, and yes this movie is so good that you will not get bored watching it more than once or twice. You must pay attention to everything, because there are clues and subtle things all around that help tie the story together. You might not notice them the first time, and that’s okay, you won’t miss out on anything, but when you do notice them, it adds a depth to the characters and the story that wasn’t there before.
Overall this film is unique, and well worth watching. I recommend it to everyone and anyone who enjoys disturbing films, and isn’t overly sensitive. This is no life-lesson movie, but I do believe you’ll take something away with you after seeing it. Look for it at your local Slackers toady!