Stoker (2013) Effective psyhological horror thriller by acclaimed Korean director Park Chan-wook who creates a Hitchcock-like film from what could have been a predictable horror flick in the hands of a less experienced helmer. Mia Wasikowska (Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland) is great as India Stoker, an 18 year old school girl traumatized by the death of her dad and neglected mother. Nicole Kidman plays Evelyn Stoker, the widow mother who misses cock more than anything. Then there is Mathew Goode as Uncle Charlie, the enigmatic relative the two grieving ladies knew practically nothing about and that slowly will change their lives forever. The movie is beautifully edited with images of close-up hair transforming into a grass field for the next scene or an eye that turns into an object. Brilliant details that enhances the enjoyment of the film. The performances are solid and the direction keeps you at the edge of your seat waiting for something to happen, but that for the most part it doesn't. The film builds, and builds the expectations maybe longer than it should, so it will disappoint regular slasher horror fans with short attention span. But when it delivers, it is satisfactory. Very good film with solid performances. 8/10
