Mia Wasikowska Weekend – Stoker (2013)

Director: Chan-wook Park

Writer: Wentworth Miller (Screenplay)

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Lucas Till, Alden Ehrenreich, Jacki Weaver, Dermot Mulroney

 

Plot: After India’s father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Solid Thriller

 

Story: Stoker starts as we meet the teenager India (Wasikowska) who has the ability to hear at an enhanced level who has just lost her father Richard in a car crash. India lives with her mother Evelyn (Kidman) who has been struggling with the loss of her husband but when the unknown Uncle Charlie (Goode) arrives on the scene India starts to learn more about her past.

When other members of the family turn up in India’s life we get to learn that Charles might not be all he appears to be but why has he taken such an interest in India is the question remaining.

Stoker is a solid thriller that does in a direction you can ready quite easily. Saying that the mood to create this works and with the final twist you will find yourself surprised with the outcome. The story does tackle family relationships but is trying way too hard to keep up with most of Hitchcock’s work. I do feel most of this is forced and doesn’t feel like a natural story unfolding either.

 

Actor Review

 

Mia Wasikowska: India in the teenage student who is considered so what of a loner, she had a very close relationship with father but when he is killed she finds herself struggling to fit in. when her Uncle turns up in her life she starts to notice a few more things in her life. Is India ready to become her father’s daughter. Mia gives us a good creepy performance throughout.

Nicole Kidman: Evelyn is the grieving mother of India’s who has turned to the bottle to get over the loss of her husband as well as trying to find her own relationship with the estranged brother in law. Nicole is solid but only this supporting role.

Matthew Goode: Charles is the mysterious Uncle that turns up in India’s life, he can sense the two being very similar and as we wait to see what he true motives are. Matthew is good in this role where he can always have the slightly quirky roles.

Support Cast: Stoker has a supporting cast which includes fellow members of the family who know the truth but also include the high schoolers that India has to deal with each day.

Director Review: Chan-wook Park – Chan-wook gives us a slow moving thriller that doesn’t reach all the potential it has.

 

Thriller: Stoker tries to keep us wondering but really doesn’t give us enough for the whole idea behind the film.

Settings: Stoker keeps the settings looking like we are in a high class of people and their dramas.
Special Effects: Stoker has good effective special effects when needed.

Suggestion: Stoker is only really one to try because it is slow moving and doesn’t go too far. (Try It)

 

Best Part: Good performances.

Worst Part: Slow story.

 

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Budget: $12 Million

Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes

Tagline: Innocence Ends.

 

Overall: Slow moving thriller that does tackle growing up.

Rating