Stoker (2013)

Assuming that actual human beings visit this blog of mine, I apologize for not being able come through and for being the lazy ass that I honestly am. Moving on. For my first review of the year, I chose Stoker. Why? Because it's a goddamn amazing movie that's why.

This marks as the first non-Korean movie of the great director, Chan-wook Park. I suggest watching his previous films like Oldboy and Lady Vengeance to further understand his style, camera work and story-telling signature. Credit should also be given to Wentworth Miller who wrote the incredibly refreshing script. Stoker starts with the almost indifferent and unaffected girl named India Stoker, played by the ever dependent and wildly entertaining Mia Wasikowska, in her own world. We see through her eyes the events that took place after the death of her father. She meets her Uncle Charlie Stoker whom, together with her flighty and unsteady mother (Nicole Kidman at her best), she never knew existed. This is where the story starts. The uncle, played by Matthew Goode who banked gold in this role, is mysterious, magnetic, eerily charming and freakishly unaffected by his brother's death. India is drawn to him. Her mother is definitely attracted to him. But what are his motives? Why is he still in their house? Do they really want him to leave? These are only few of the questions that will arise throughout the movie. You will understand once you watch this film. You will see the palpable tension that the director effectively captures. You will feel the erotic connection that builds up and threatens to consume.



The movie is picturesque. Almost as if every second of the film can be framed and interpreted in different ways. It is full of exquisite things that are not what is supposed to be -- a spider in the leg, a pair of high-heeled stilettos, flowers stained with blood. It delves into the idea of the bad blood. Of the responsibility of nature and/or nurture. A movie so compelling and just plain beautiful that even I do not know what to do with it.

Just get to this scene and tell me I'm wrong.