Movielogr
Stoker (2013)
Directed by Park Chan-wook
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Overview
After India Stoker’s father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.
Rated R | Length 99 minutes
Actors
Mia Wasikowska | Nicole Kidman | Matthew Goode | Dermot Mulroney | Jacki Weaver | Lucas Till | Alden Ehrenreich | Phyllis Somerville | Ralph Brown | Judith Godrèche | David Alford | Peg Allen | Lauren E. Roman | Harmony Korine | Dominick 'Dino' Howard | Tyler von Tagen | Thomas A. Covert | Jaxon Johnson | Paxton Johnson
Viewing History (seen 2 times)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/31/2024 | Home Theater | Blu-ray | Owned | 9 stars |
| 03/07/2013 | Movie Screen | Film | Theater | 9 stars |
| (Average) 9 stars |
Viewing Notes
By attending all three screenings of films in the Vengeance trilogy earlier in the week (one per night, Monday through Wednesday), I earned a free pass to an advance screening of Park’s first English language film, Stoker.
I was happy to see that Park’s transition to Hollywood left his signature style of movie making completely intact. Stoker is excellent, with the same blend of subversive violence and humor that made his Vengeance trilogy so good.
Like his other films, Stoker is a sensory experience, not only in visual texture but aurally as well. The particular focus on sound, especially hyper-inflated noises that would normally only be heard in extremely close proximity, gives the film an additional layer. At times I felt like I could almost smell the things taking place on-screen. Not many directors can evoke your senses to that degree.
The entire cast is great, but I have to say that Mia Wasikowska shines in the role of India. Her character is so dispassionate, and at other times passionate in unexpected and unsettling ways. That sort of introspection is difficult to pull off as an actor, but Wasikowska does a fantastic job of it. Nicole Kidman turns in an excellent supporting role performance as India’s mother, who is so completely out of touch with the events swirling around her.
I imagine I’ll be returning to the theater to see this again once it sees wide release.
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