The Others - Review

"Sometimes the world of the living gets mixed up with the world of the dead" – A review of The Others.

There's nothing quite like a good ghost story. I love to be creeped out, to lose myself in the atmosphere and the tension, and to be kept guessing throughout a story. The Others, released in 2001 and directed by Alejandro Amenábar, does a great job at this, bringing an old school haunted house feel to a story full of clever twists and turns which is sure to leave you surprised.

The film follows Grace, played by Nicole Kidman, a mother living in a dark mansion on the Channel Islands just after World War II. She lives with her two children, Anne and Nicholas, who both suffer from a sunlight allergy, leading to Grace keeping their home in constant darkness to protect them. There's something strange about the house though; doors open on their own, ghostly whispers echo down hallways, and the children start to see mysterious, unknown figures lurking in their home. The plot is a slow burn but it's so worth it, slowly building to a revelation that you'll be thinking about long after you've finished watching.

This is such a clever and brilliant film. It's not just a standard ghost story, it's a thoughtful, emotional look at loss, faith and love, exploring the lines between life and death and the effects of denial. The sense of isolation is palpable, not just in the shadowy house but emotionally too, as you watch Grace's world close in around her. You watch her question what's real and what's imagined, what she can and can't control, and what she is and isn't able to do to keep her loved ones safe.

I'm a big fan of Nicole Kidman, and she's brilliant in The Others. Grace comes across as determined yet vulnerable, Kidman's portrayal perfectly drawing you in to the emotional turbulence of a mother full of uncertainty and fear, making every scene feel real and raw. The child actors – Alakina Mann and James Bentley – bring the feeling of innocence and unease to their performances, their reactions to the supernatural elements of the film feeling genuine and heart-wrenching. The family dynamics between the three adds to both the feeling of isolation and the emotional stakes of the film, as you're constantly on edge alongside Grace, hoping that the children at least make it out unscathed.

The mansion feels like a character in its own right. Moody, gloomy and atmospheric, full of creaking floors, candlelight and heavy curtains, the house is full of shadow and darkness, which helps to keep you on edge throughout. The sound design is genuinely chilling, with each whisper, door creak and footstep feeling ominous and suspenseful.

This is such a great film. It's not about jump scares and shock value, rather tension and mystery, and a story that is sure to keep you guessing. If you enjoy a well-crafted story with memorable twists and turns, I'm sure you'll absolutely love this film.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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