The Turning

Set in a strange, sprawling mansion in the deep countryside, The Turning (2020) is an eerie adaptation of the classic Henry James' short story, The Turn of the Screw. With deliciously dark undertones that blend seamlessly with 1990s nostalgia, it infuses mystery and horror elements to create a captivating and chilling atmosphere.

The film is directed by Floria Sigismondi, known for her tasteful storytelling that often contains a twist of the supernatural. In reimagining James' classic horror story, Sigismondi takes viewers on an unpredictable and riveting journey.

The Turning centers on bright and determined young governess, Kate, played by Mackenzie Davis, who accepts a job offer to look after two orphaned children living in a remote country estate. Little does she know, this seemingly perfect job will soon transpose into a terrifying encounter with the unknown. Her life begins to get entangled with the mystical happenings within the mansion and the behavior of her two new charges, drawing us into a world that is both uncanny and unsettling.

Davis profoundly conveys the character's emotional trajectory, using her expressive acting to reveal different layers of Kate's personality. As an audience member, you can sense her initial optimism that later dissolves into fear, confusion, and paranoia.

The two orphaned children are portrayed by Finn Wolfhard and Brooklynn Prince. Wolfhard's role as the controversial Miles is a script-flip from his previous characters. Here, he transitions from a geeky, loveable character in Stranger Things to a mysterious, unsettling teenager who seems to always be hiding something. Wolfhard's unnerving portrayal leaves us unsettled as we navigate through the mansion's horrors with Kate.

On the other hand, Brooklynn Prince, who plays the role of the younger sibling Flora, brilliantly exhibits a vast range of emotions despite her tender age. From innocence to hints of knowing malice, Prince imbues her character with an air of chilling ambiguity.

Weaving through the creepy hallways and mysterious corners of the mansion, the characters find themselves navigating their complex relationships while tangling with the inexplicable happenings surrounding them. The estate's grandeur and isolation, along with its spectral past, only add to the chilling atmosphere that engulfs the narrative. Elaborately designed sets, stunning cinematography, and a pulsating score lends an additional layer of uncanny ambiance to the film.

The Turning plays out like a nightmare you can't escape from, presenting a maze of psychological horror themes, ghostly appearances, and immense suspense. The disorienting cinematography and momentous score persistently keeps viewers on edge.

Furthermore, the film's setting in the '90s allows for an interesting backdrop, distancing the narrative from the technology-throbbed present day. This element increases the isolation felt by the characters, stripping them of modern comforts and connections, thereby heightening suspense.

Alongside its supernatural elements, it teases out themes of repression, guilt, and trust, adding a layer of psychological depth to the narrative. The screenplays adds several new elements to James' story to offer a modern interpretation while keeping the classic, timeless elements intact.

Despite the movie's haunting atmosphere, it also dialectically explores the complexity of human relationships - between the siblings, the children and their new governess, and with the mansion's spectral past. Sigismondi's direction deftly explores the ways in which our past can haunt our present.

A haunted mansion, unpredictable happenings, cryptic characters, and a lingering sense of dread - The Turning amalgamates all requisite ingredients of a gripping horror film. Yet, what sets it apart is its ambiguous ending that leaves viewers to piece together the story and draw their conclusions.

The Turning is a horror film that does not merely rely on the element of surprise but meticulously builds a suspenseful narrative, allowing the threat to seep into the story and the characters slowly while letting the viewers question what's real and what's not. The plot twists and the performances of all primary actors ensure a riveting watch, although it certainly is not for the faint-hearted!