Stoker (2013) - Drama/Mystery/Thriller

Rating: 9/10

Summary: After India Stoker's (Mia Wasikowska) father dies in a mysterious car crash, her Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) comes to live with her and her mother (Nicole Kidman). India begin's to fall for him and eventually his motives become clear.

I thought this film was incredible. The plot was outstandingly interesting although it was quite slow and confusing in the beginning. Throughout the entirety of the film I found my self almost jumping out of my sheets (instead of at the edge of my seat seeing as I was in bed wrapped in a blanket rather than sitting in a chair or couch), or with my jaw dropping because some scenes came as such a surprise to me. This film truly is a thriller and mystery.

Foremost, I am only familiar with Mia Wasikowska because of her appearance in Alice in Wonderland,

other than that I have not seen her in any other films. For me, she rose to the challenge of playing such a dark and almost mature role. Ultimately, she was brilliant throughout the entire film and did not disappoint what-so-ever. She added and interesting bit of personality to the character of India that made it seem like India was hiding something deep down inside her, and by the end of the film she embraced it and let it out. I can honestly say I don't think anyone could've portrayed India better than Mia did.

As for Nicole Kidman, I was not very fond of her character Evie though, as usual, she did an excellent job at playing the disturbed, and emotionally distraught mother. The role was not at all outside her realm or different from the roles she normally takes so I was not disappointed. She played a perfectly

unlikeable character, and made her, well, unlikeable. From the beginning she possessed a certain hatred towards India, she might have even resented her, which puts her on the side of the antagonist especially towards the end of the film. Overall she did a good job, and again I don't think anyone can play a role like that better than Nicole Kidman.

Matthew Goode did just as well as everyone else, though I am not familiar with him or any films he has previously been in. But like all the other mains in the film, he did not disappoint. He played a

perfectly charming psychopath throughout the film, and made Charlie seem attractive despite everything else that he did or said. I found myself hoping that he would achieve what he wanted and came to like him even.

As for cinematography, it was beautiful. I loved how certain details were taken into consideration and were made focus points throughout the whole film. For example India's shoes (SPOILER), which from the beginning of the film were a mystery until it is made clear that Charlie is the one who was the one sending them to her. Before it is even made clear to the audience, her shoes are a main focus and remain so the entire time. This film is endlessly fascinating and I'm sure if I were to watch it again I would pick up on certain small details that I didn't notice beforehand.

Overall Stoker is an excellent film. I would recommend it to anyone who has seen and likes Shutter Island or We Need to Talk About Kevin. It's ultimately deserving of a high rating 9/10 recommend to certain people A-.

Watch Stoker Here