Filipe Neto This film begins in a rather uncharacteristic way: a young girl who is a screenwriter and is trying to recover from a destructive love relationship decides to isolate herself in an old and remote mansion in order to be able to finish a new script within the deadlines. However, the house hides a mystery surrounding the previous tenants who will tinker with her head. Okay, nothing new here. It's the usual light horror thriller, blending "haunted house" with "psychopathic killer coming to kill the girl", seasoned with "found footage" and served with such a lack of originality that it becomes very predictable and lacks any tension or suspense. How am I going to feel tense or stay tuned to the screen if I know what's going to happen? Things get better when the story of Lucy, the previous inhabitant, begins to develop, giving a dramatic and human touch to a story very empty until then. In a way, we are more able to care for Thora Birch's character than the main one, played by Brittany Murphy. Another problem is the tremendous slow pace, as if the director wanted to "fill the sausage" just to get a movie lasting more than an hour. Combine that with the predictability I've mentioned and you'll understand that it turns out to be boring most of the time. As for the cast, Brittany Murphy does not surprise me or show great interpretive ability (she was never close to being a great actress and the tabloid news about her death can be more interesting than her filmography), Birch complied with which was required of her, but didn't particularly shine. It's not worth talking about Marc Blucas, who played a papier-mâché villain.

peterroeder34 I don't mind bad movies if they are funny or make sense in some way but this movie is really bad storytelling. It really makes a mockery of everything a Hitchcock or a Poe stand for. I wanted to like this movie because of Brittany Murphy co-star of 8mile but the rest of the movie is just so bad that she has no chance of saving it. Especially the story within the story is a real insult to the intelligence of the viewer and the actors are playing it with strictly phony feelings. Moreover, the plot avoids all chances of a good plot twist and runs perfectly predictable and really tries not to be too scary or profound in any way. This movie is a good example of very bad storytelling.

Donald Buehler I will not bother to recount the story - it is a familiar one, I'll just mention the good points of the movie: 1- Brittany Murphy does an excellent job - she is pretty fearless going in the attic numerous times; not getting creeped out by the old house noises; is convincing as she gets wrapped up in the story of the prior residents (as observed by the husband's extensive videotaping - which Brittany finds); 2- good use of "less is more" approach to filming the build up to the climax - very good creepy music - set an atmosphere of dread - punctuated by the woman screaming (which did not seem to bother Ms. Murphy - it sure would have me); 3.) maddening ambiguity - did the guys wife, Lucy, actually have an affair with Luke? she never denies it - keeps repeating "We're having our baby" - as if that would stop her. The ending has a couple of twists and some possibly disturbing aftermath to the events. One other reviewer thought that the writers thought some of this up at the last minute - I agree. The bad: too coincidental that Brittany and the woman in the house had similar circumstances - they did not have to do that to make it interesting. Also Brittany was there to write, but in the whole movie I did not see her write a word - so I think the title is just an excuse or afterthought to the plot. They had to get her to the house by herself in some way.One other good thing - the subtle undertones that Brittany and her roommate were more than just friends. It never came out, but it looked like her roommate had the hots for her at times - but maybe I'm imagining it.Overall entertaining. One other thing I can say, unlike so many horror movies I have started watching lately - at least I watched this one to the end. One line I liked "Old house are like old people - grumpy and testy." So true. DonB

lathe-of-heaven First off, if really slow, atmospheric films that don't have a lot of action bore you, then this movie is NOT for you! Period. All you have to do is see the review here titled 'Snoozer, with a Stupid Ending' Point proved (well, at least if not actually 'proven', strongly suggested : ) Here is the deal; IF you are indeed going to make one of these really slow, moody films that on the surface come across as super simple, then you HAVE to do them well or forget it. The movie was beautifully photographed, VERY well paced for the material, and the acting was excellent. Do you realize how MANY frigg'n ways there are to screw something like this up? A lot! So, I honestly felt that it was put together quite nicely.Now, without spoiling anything, I just wanna say that something that I really appreciated about this film is that this 'kind' of movie (which you will understand, sort of, at the end) USUALLY is very heavy handed with the 'reveal' in the sense that they usually make it blindingly obvious. However, what I like about this one is that at the end, yes, something is strongly suggested, BUT still, things are left to be interpreted in a number of different ways (as clearly seen in some of the discussion comments below which you should absolutely NOT read before seeing the movie!) So, basically like I said, IF you like this kind of very slow, moody film where there is a very good atmosphere that builds gradually and creates a good mystery, and you don't necessarily NEED a lot of action or explanation, THEN yes, you should enjoy this movie...This film simply isn't for everyone. For example, I'm quite sure that there are MANY people who absolutely LOVE the 'SAW' or 'HOSTEL' films; quite the polar opposite of this film to be sure. So, in that case I wouldn't feel right reviewing those films because that is just NOT my type of film at all. (However, the makers of 'SAW' went on to make a couple of excellent Horror films, where people are NOT tortured or forced to do awful things, that I totally loved! ['DEAD SILENCE' & 'INSIDIOUS']) I think it is the same with this one... Likely, MOST of the people who have seen this movie and then come here and say 'Gee, that was REALLY stupid and boring' would fall into the same category: that it just isn't THEIR type of film, that's all.The movie isn't WILDLY fantastic or anything, just solidly well made; as a matter of fact, it really reminds me of another VERY similar film that I saw not long ago (I can't remember the title right off) But it was WAAAAAAAY more subtle than this one! It was similar where a woman (seemed like it was a REALLY well known actress too, perhaps Marisa Tomei, someone like that...) was staying in a remote house. And you just keep seeing this guy standing there in the room with her but she doesn't see him; there are LONG periods without ANY dialog at all. It just about ALL is based on mood and atmosphere. It was great too, but perhaps much more 'artistic' in it's approach and a bit more complex and layered in it's story than this one. This one here I would say was more directly psychological...But, there is one thing I can promise you...This movie is indeed much, MUCH better than it's current 4.x rating...