Stoker

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Jacki Weaver, Dermont Mulroney

Director: Chan-wook Park

Producer: Michael Costigan, Tony Scott, Ridley Scott

Writer: Wentworth Miller

Music: Clint Mansell

Cinematographer: Chung-hoon Chung

Editor: Nicolas De Toth

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Running Time: 99 minutes

Rated: MA15+

Post the mysterious death of India's (Wasikowska) father, a charming yet unstable man claiming to be her estranged Uncle (Goode) comes to live with both her and her naive mother (Kidman). His unannounced arrival is the catalyst for a series of murders of people who closely surround the family. India's world as she knows it slowly begins to unravel, throughout which she develops a disturbing infatuation for her suspicious uncle. The cinematography of Stoker is done in classic Chan-wook Park style- narrative, solemn,  abstract, artistic and at times, eerie. The majority of the shots are taken from the point of view of India and how she sees the events around her. Sound plays an exceptional part throughout the film where everyday sounds almost orchestrate to create a harmony in some scenes. Although the film has no acute ending, it is written very well in the sense that it uses 'silence and stillness' to develop the story as oppose to chunky dialogue. The film is interesting and pays homage to the traditional thriller genre. It's great to see three seasoned Australian actresses share the screen- Jacki Weaver, Nicole Kidman and Mia Wasikowska- who all take to their roles like ducks in water…or is it fish? Anyways, if you're in the mood for a feel-good flick, this isn't the movie for you. If you're a fan of Roman Polanski's work (and Chan-wook Park's of course), then I would recommend this film is for you. Also, for those still-shot loving cinematographers, this will be right up your viewing pleasure alley! Happy Watching!!