The Movie: After captivating American audiences with films like Oldboy and Thirst, director Chan-Wook Parkfinally makes his English-language debut with Stoker, a provocative slow-burn thriller about a troubled teen coping with the death of her father and the appearance of an uncle she never knew existed. India (Mia Wasikowska) finds herself both fascinated and terrified by the arrival of Charlie (Matthew Goode), whose seems to have an unhealthy interest in India’s mother (Nicole Kidman).
As India tries to discern the truth about Charlie, she’s forced to confront some of her own secrets, and realizes the life she has always known may not have been what it seemed. Beautifully shot and expertly paced, Stoker takes its narrative into places where most films dare not tread, resulting in an original, uncomfortable, thought provoking experience that stands as one of the best thrillers in recent memory.
The Good: Gorgeous cinematography. Brilliant performances from Wasikowska and Goode.
The Bad: Perhaps a bit too taboo for general audiences.
The Verdict: Dark, unsettling, and creepy as hell, a top-notch thriller from a genre master.