The Uninvited (2009)

This movie is very underrated. I love horror movie and critique them a bit strictly. The plot to this movie is really well played, the actors did wonderful, the scenery is great, and the music blends in really well. This is a movie that comes with nice big twists, and you cannot easily predict what really is going on until you reach down to the last scene and add it all up together. This is a must watch movie that doesn't come with typical horror movie cliche's, or badly put make up on villians, or stupid, pointless animations, but a strong set of nicely shot scenes. I give it a 10/10 because it's so underrated, and as someone who encourages people to watch horror movies, I feel I must emphasise.

Anna Ivers returns home to her sister Alex (Arielle Kebbel) after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother (Elizabeth Banks). Her dismay quickly turns to horror when she is visited by ghastly visions of her dead mother.I'm always hesitant to watch horror movies on Netflix, because they tend to be newer and lower budget (not that this is always a bad thing). This one is newer, but the budget is there, and they were able to get a few faces I recognize. Especially Arielle Kebbel and Elizabeth Banks, with a nice, smaller role by horror veteran Jesse Moss.Much of the film plays out sort of like a mystery. What is going on? Is it supernatural? Is the stepmother really who she claims to be? It's not the best suspense film, but it is more than adequate in holding your attention, especially thanks to strong performances. In a way, this film anticipates the widely celebrated "Goodnight Mommy".

The Uninvited is the epitome of today's, PG-13 date/horror movie. It's uncomplicated, packed with jump moments, and it has the obligatory twist at the end. If you haven't gotten thoroughly tired of this kind of thing by now, then The Uninvited might be worth the price of two movie tickets.The film mainly focuses on its trio of gorgeous female stars (Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks and Arielle Kebbel). None of them are required to do any acting heavy lifting, but they all serve their parts well enough. The only quibble I had was with Banks, but she probably only seemed miscast because of the last few roles that I've seen and enjoyed her in.Anyway, as this is a modern, mainstream horror film, it's not very scary. The twist ending may or may not come as a surprise, but it doesn't really add much to the film. Check this out if you're a fan of any of the actresses or if you're bored. But don't expect to be frightened or particularly satisfied by The Uninvited.

The Uninvited (2009): Dir: Charles Guard, Thomas Guard / Cast: Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, David Strathairn, Arielle Kebbel, Jesse Moss: Standard horror film that can be interpreted in two ways during a second viewing. Title can reference either the fiancé or a daughter home fresh from an asylum after witnessing her mother's death. Once home she struggles to adapt to her father's fiancé whom she believes is responsible for numerous murders. Directed by Charles and Thomas Guard with great visual appeal. Emily Browning holds strong as she struggles to deal with issues that landed her in the asylum as well as her current life outside it. Needless to say that Browning makes great use of the third act plot twist. Elizabeth Banks plays the fiancé who was also their mother's nurse before her passing. She struggles in disciplining Browning, not realizing the brutal plot against her. David Strathairn plays naive father whose presence is to not believe any claim made against Banks. The role is completely useless. Arielle Kebbel plays rebellious sister who assists Browning in incriminating Banks. Kebbel also brings forth an interesting plot twist of her own. Jesse Moss plays Browning's old boyfriend who has witnessed some plot points regarding her mother. Pointless hokey horror film that is visually well made in a way that will likely be deemed invited by horror fans only. Score: 4 ½ / 10