Winchester
Helen Mirren is haunted firearm heiress Sarah Winchester in this mystery thriller from the Speirig brothers (Jigsaw, Predestination).
Sarah Winchester (Mirren) is convinced that she is haunted by the souls killed at the hands of the Winchester repeating rifle. After the sudden deaths of her husband and child, she throws herself into the construction of an enormous mansion designed to keep the evil spirits at bay. But when skeptical San Francisco psychiatrist Eric Price (Jason Clarke, Everest) is dispatched to the estate to evaluate her state of mind, he discovers that her obsession may not be so insane after all.
- Director:
- Michael SpierigPeter Spierig ('Predestination', 'Daybreakers', 'Undead')
- Writer:
- Michael SpierigPeter Spierig
- Cast:
- Helen MirrenJason ClarkeSarah SnookAngus SampsonLaura BrentTyler CoppinEmm WisemanFinn Scicluna-O'Prey
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Aaron Yap
flicksIn retrospect, the brief spark of ingenuity that the Spierig Brothers exhibited in 2014’s lovably loopy Predestination probably had more to do with the conceptual ballsiness of Robert A. Heinlein’s source text than anything. With a recent lacklustre attempt at franchise revival in Jigsaw, and now this goofy ghost thriller, it’s become even clearer that they’re the undistinguished genre travellers that they’ve always been: clearly big, avid fans of sci-fi and horror, with little of consummate craft nor consistent vision of their heroes.
Its a beautifully shot banal film
I don't believe its based on truth, yes she exists and the house exists but its a story spun by those selling tours to the Winchester Mystery House. As a film its pretty but lacking, like so many horror films if you don't make the audience care for the characters why watch. There is nothing original and the ending is so obvious. I had more fun watching my...
More like Lose-chester
Having the sound drown out then explode into a jumpscare isn't frightening in the slightest and is lazily exploiting a natural human reaction and masquerading as 'horror'. Couple that with Jason Clarke who amazingly is able to match Jai Courtney and Sam Worthington in terms of blandness and a story that doesn't surprise or intrigue and what you get is a 90...
Total Film
pressThere's a great film to be made out of the Winchester story, but sadly this isn't it.
The New York Times
pressHo-hum apparitions appear and disappear without a trace. Ms. Mirren and her representatives are probably hoping the movie will do likewise.
The Guardian
pressA staggeringly pointless supernatural non-chiller featuring some very tiresome jump scares.
Rolling Stone
pressIt shouldn't happen to anyone, much less a Dame - not a movie of such barreling awfulness that it strands the great Helen Mirren in a gothic house of cards that collapses on actors and audiences alike.
Los Angeles Times
pressHaving laid out an unusually intricate and politically charged puzzle, "Winchester" proceeds to solve it in the clunkiest, most perfunctory way imaginable.
Hollywood Reporter
pressWinchester draws on a fascinating true story but then simplifies and sensationalises it to fit creaky, clunky horror conventions.
Empire Magazine
pressDespite an intriguing premise, Winchester misses the mark. Its anti-gun message is a shot in the right direction, but lazy fright tactics and a contradictory ending leave it firing blanks.
Flicks, Aaron Yap
flicksIn retrospect, the brief spark of ingenuity that the Spierig Brothers exhibited in 2014’s lovably loopy Predestination probably had more to do with the conceptual ballsiness of Robert A. Heinlein’s source text than anything. With a recent lacklustre attempt at franchise revival in Jigsaw, and now this goofy ghost thriller, it’s become even clearer that they’re the undistinguished genre travellers that they’ve always been: clearly big, avid fans of sci-fi and horror, with little of consummate craft nor consistent vision of their heroes.
Total Film
pressThere's a great film to be made out of the Winchester story, but sadly this isn't it.
The New York Times
pressHo-hum apparitions appear and disappear without a trace. Ms. Mirren and her representatives are probably hoping the movie will do likewise.
The Guardian
pressA staggeringly pointless supernatural non-chiller featuring some very tiresome jump scares.
Rolling Stone
pressIt shouldn't happen to anyone, much less a Dame - not a movie of such barreling awfulness that it strands the great Helen Mirren in a gothic house of cards that collapses on actors and audiences alike.
Los Angeles Times
pressHaving laid out an unusually intricate and politically charged puzzle, "Winchester" proceeds to solve it in the clunkiest, most perfunctory way imaginable.
Hollywood Reporter
pressWinchester draws on a fascinating true story but then simplifies and sensationalises it to fit creaky, clunky horror conventions.
Empire Magazine
pressDespite an intriguing premise, Winchester misses the mark. Its anti-gun message is a shot in the right direction, but lazy fright tactics and a contradictory ending leave it firing blanks.
Its a beautifully shot banal film
I don't believe its based on truth, yes she exists and the house exists but its a story spun by those selling tours to the Winchester Mystery House. As a film its pretty but lacking, like so many horror films if you don't make the audience care for the characters why watch. There is nothing original and the ending is so obvious. I had more fun watching my...
More like Lose-chester
Having the sound drown out then explode into a jumpscare isn't frightening in the slightest and is lazily exploiting a natural human reaction and masquerading as 'horror'. Couple that with Jason Clarke who amazingly is able to match Jai Courtney and Sam Worthington in terms of blandness and a story that doesn't surprise or intrigue and what you get is a...
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