Movie Review: Stoker (2013)
Plot:
This stylishly spooky psycho-thriller has a well known story of a historically freaky family of the Stokers where India Stoker met her weird but ruggedly handsome uncle Charlie who just appeared out of the blue right after her father’s death & decided to stay with them (India & her unstable mother) as per ritual of a thriller.
Charlie tells them that he’s been travelling the world ever since and seems to be a very interesting character. Shortly after Charlie moves in, India witnesses him argue with Mrs. McGarrick , the head caretaker of the house. Mrs. McGarrick then disappears. Charlie and Evelyn grow closer and intimate while India continues to rebuff Charlie's attempts to befriend her. Later, India's great aunt Gwendolyn arrives to visit the family, much to Evelyn and Charlie's dismay. At dinner, Gwendolyn shows surprise at Charlie's claims of traveling the world and tells Evelyn that she needs to talk to her about Charlie.
Gwendolyn ends up changing hotels due to an unexplained fear and suspicion of Charlie. However, she loses her cell phone and tries to call the Stokers' home from her hotel payphone. While she is making her call, Charlie tracks her down and corners her in the phone booth, seeming to be upset. He hands Gwendolyn her phone and then strangles her to death with his belt after explaining that he found her through the cab company. Meanwhile, India goes into the basement to eat ice cream and discovers Mrs. McGarrick's body in the freezer. She realizes Charlie is a murderer.
Later, India unleashes her inner aggression at school and stabs a bully, Chris Pitts in the hand with a pencil after he tries to land a surprise punch to her head. This draws the attention of another classmate, Whip Taylor. India goes home and later witnesses Evelyn and Charlie growing intimate and wanders off to a local diner where she runs into Whip. She and Whip go into the woods where they proceed to make out until India aggressively bites Whip. Whip then attempts to rape India until Charlie intervenes, and breaks Whip's neck with his belt. India then aids Charlie in burying the body in her garden. She then attempts to call Gwendolyn, but hears her phone ring deep in the garden, realizing Charlie killed her, too. India takes a shower and masturbates to the memory of the murder, climaxing as she remembers Charlie breaking Whip's neck.
While going through Richard's office to gather things of his she wants to keep, India discovers that a key she received as a birthday present belongs to a locked drawer to Richard's desk. Inside, she finds several letters from Charlie, which detail his travels. However, India discovers that the sending address on the back of the envelopes is from a mental institution. India then confronts Charlie, who explains the truth: Charlie murdered his and Richard's younger brother Jonathan as a child because he was jealous that Richard paid more attention to him. Charlie was then put in a mental institution for several years. When released on India's 18th birthday, Richard gave Charlie a car, a generous amount of money, and an apartment in New York on the condition that he stay away from Richard's family. Feeling hurt and betrayed, Charlie beat Richard to death with a rock and staged the car accident.
At first, India is in shock and angered. However, she seemingly forgives Charlie and grows closer after he provides an alibi for her when Sheriff Howard (Ralph Brown) questions her about Whip's disappearance. They grow close to intimate before Evelyn witnesses them. Later that evening, Evelyn coldly expresses her desire to watch India suffer before confronting Charlie, implying that she knows the truth about Richard's death. Charlie seduces Evelyn and then attempts to strangle her before India appears and fatally shoots Charlie with a rifle. She then buries Charlie's body in the backyard and proceeds to leave for New York in his car.
She is shortly pulled over for speeding by Sheriff Howard, who then asks her why she's in a hurry. India replies that she wanted to catch his attention, then plunges a pair of pruning shears into his neck. India pursues the wounded sheriff into a field to dispatch him with her rifle.
Review:
" It’s not the story which Inspires, it’s the Presentation. The Drama comes in gaps which creates a gothic & dark mood. "
This movie brings a sensual and dark side to the previously known thriller story. With beautiful performances and scenes which paint the story on the screen that you become all eyes.
The story unsettles your mind and makes you think in a very different dimensions. That will be the beauty of fierce performances that we get to see in this one. The truth was ugly and bloodstained twisted marvelously to a sexy and densely mysterious play.
However this movie will definitely get audience oriented reviews as per the likeness. But if in search of a perfectly put thriller to go with your Creepy Afternoon mood, try Stoker.
The fragility of relationships and the raging wave of suspicion whirl you into the thick fog of Intrigue. Enough to glue you to the seats.
Performances:
● Mia Wasikowska as India Stoker: The movie owes its success and serenity to her. She managed to put in more perfectly than her co-stars.
● Matthew Goode as Charlie Stoker: What an Uncle Charlie! The looks, The motions & the Creeps..A whole package.
● Nicole Kidman as Evelyn Stoker: She has done well as ever. Mentally unstable and utterly sexy. That’s so her!
Performance wise this movie gets a straight 5 out 5 score.
Not most of the audience can get all that they see but overall Stoker deserves
****
Reviewed by : Adina Farid
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