Gothika (2003)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Mathieu Kassovitz

Writer (WGA):

Sebastian Gutierrez (written by)

Release Date:

21 November 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller | Mystery

Tagline:

Because someone is dead doesn't mean they're gone.

Plot:

Ghost story in which a repressed female psychiatrist wakes up as a patient in the very asylum where she worked with no memory of why she is there and what she has done.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Psychiatrist | Ghost | Blackout | Possession

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Halle Berry	...	Miranda Grey
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Pete Graham
Charles S. Dutton	...	Dr. Douglas Grey
John Carroll Lynch	...	Sheriff Ryan
Bernard Hill	...	Phil Parsons
Penélope Cruz	...	Chloe Sava
Dorian Harewood	...	Teddy Howard
Bronwen Mantel	...	Irene
Kathleen Mackey	...	Rachel Parsons
Matthew G. Taylor	...	Turlington
Michel Perron	...	Joe
Andrea Sheldon	...	Tracey Seavers
Anana Rydvald	...	Glass Cell Nurse
Laura Mitchell	...	Inmate
Amy Sloan	...	Inmate

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, brief language and nudity.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Japan:PG-12 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18PL | USA:R (certificate #40310) | France:-12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | Germany:16 | Ireland:18 | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Hinchinbrook, Québec, Canada

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Halle Berry broke her arm filming a scene with Robert Downey Jr.. Downey was supposed to grab her arm and twist but twisted too hard and the arm snapped. Production was halted for eight weeks.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: At the end of the movie, they are supposed to be in New York City. However, as Chloe is getting into the cab, you can see a (partially burnt out) Tim Horton's sign in the background. Tim Horton's is a Canadian coffee shop not found in New York.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Chloe: He came back again last night and tore me like paper. He opened me like a flower of pain, and it felt good. He sank into me and set me on fire, like he always does. Made me burn from the inside out.
Miranda: How did you know it was the devil?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Heights (2005)

Soundtrack:

Behind Blue Eyes

A chilling atmospheric thriller...... superb in every way

I have to say that I had pretty low expectations for this film, having read a lot of negative critical reviews, and I have to say, having seen this film, I am really at a loss to words as to what they thought was so bad about it.... I really, really enjoyed it.It is brilliantly acted and directed. Halle gives a flawless performance, her second best to that in Monster's Ball. She is absolutely superb in this movie. It is an unbelievably stylish, clever and satisfying horror flic, and undoubtedly the best I've seen in a long, long time, possibly since The Others, which I adored. Miss it at your peril. There are some fantastic special effects, great twists, and gorgeous cinematography. The atmosphere throughout the whole film is beautifully Gothic. The supporting cast are very competent, particularly. Penelope Cruz whom I never really warmed to before,but was excellent here. At times the dialogue is disappointing but otherwise, a brilliant film... I recommend it to any lover of good, fun horror, that is still intelligent.