The Others is
one of those movies you watch once—and then watch again to see how you missed
all the clues the first time. It’s an English-language Spanish gothic
supernatural psychological horror film. Interestingly, not a single word of
Spanish is spoken in it.
The movie has
received so many accolades that if, for any reason, you haven’t seen it yet,
its recognition alone is enough to give it a watch. I can never forget the
first time my sister and I saw this movie back in 2002, when we got our hands
on the home video. The twist ending will leave your jaw on the floor.
The plot is set
in the 1940s and follows a family trying to move on with life after World War
II. Grace (Nicole Kidman) has two children, Anne and Nicholas, who suffer from
a rare disease that makes exposure to light dangerous for them. Grace hires
three servants to help around the house: Mrs. Mills, Mr. Tuttle, and a mute
girl named Lydia.
Things start to
get strange when Anne tells Grace she’s been seeing people—ghosts, to be
exact—in the house. Anne describes them as a family, including a boy named
Victor, with whom she has spoken. Victor claims that the house belongs to his
family.
At first, Grace
dismisses Anne’s claims, but she soon begins experiencing odd occurrences
herself. Hearing strange sounds and feeling an eerie presence, she starts
investigating and even seeks help to banish the supernatural entities from the
house. However, Grace begins to realize that something deeper and more
unsettling is happening.
The movie is
written, directed, and scored by Alejandro Amenábar—a filmmaker I hadn’t heard
of before or since this movie. His direction is masterful, and the way he
handles the twist is sheer perfection. The moment the credits roll, you’ll want
to watch the film again.
The movie also
boasts excellent cinematography that enhances the scares and keeps you on edge.
Nicole Kidman delivers one of her finest performances, solidifying her status
as one of the great screen legends of her time.
The Others was a
huge critical and commercial success, earning over $200 million on a $17
million budget. At Spain’s prestigious Goya Awards, it won several categories,
including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. It also
received numerous other awards and nominations from notable ceremonies
worldwide.
Have you seen The
Others? If not, you should.
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