Stoker

First of all, this isn’t an existentialist film by Quentin Dupieux following an implement used to tend fires. It’s actually the first English language film from Park-Chan wook. Wook’s films have a similar aesthetic and he doesn’t stray far from the template that has seen him to success with his Asian films, that of the psychological thriller mixed with an air of overall weirdness. Stoker is certainly no exception to the rule. Wentworth Miller’s (yep, that dude from Prison Break) script tells the tale of India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska), an 18 year old who has recently lost her father in a traffic accident, and her relationship with her recently arrived from travelling abroad Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode). Charlie offers support to India and her mother (Nicole Kidman), but before long it appears Charlie may not be the saint he’s portrayed as (especially when people start going missing). If you know your films I expect you’re already shouting “Shadow Of A Doubt” and you won’t be far wrong. The references are many (Miller himself stating that his screenplay is a jumping off point from that film), but to be fair to him his story is more centred on Charlie’s attempts to lure India into his disturbed lifestyle as opposed to her exposing him for what he is. The comparisons to Hitchcock have been numerous, but they don't stack up. This moves at a glacial pace that Hitch would never have been happy with and it completely lacks any sense of black humour that imbued even his darkest films. Personally (the rightly revered Old Boy aside) I don’t find wook too engaging a director. Miller’s dark narrative is a perfect match for what a Park-Chan wook production is, but it’s too hollow and cold to really engage the audience in the plight of the characters. However, wook is no slouch in the shock department and the scenes of sudden violence will jolt you from your seat and the inference of what Charlie did to his younger brother is a seriously warped idea from Miller, nicely and subtlety executed on screen by wook. Though rough around the edges as a debut screenplay this is a nice effort from Miller. It’ll be interesting to see if this will be his style (i.e. minimal dialogue) going forwards or if he’ll go behind the camera himself one day. As for wook, this won’t be a breakout hit for him in the West, but it’ll satisfy his followers. On the acting front Wasikowska and Kidman are quite bland (possibly as a result of wook only being able to use an interpreter), though Goode is great as the good looking charmer with an evil glint in his eye.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

I think if you’re a fan of wook already, then this is going to be up your (blood soaked) street. However, casuals will probably want to take a point off the score. Rating: 7/10.