We Have Always Lived in the Castle

'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' is a dark twisted family drama. It was about how a bunch of people trying to cope after a dreadful tragedy & how people around them had act. It is about how lack of kindness or a misplaced concern could push people to do terrible things. Lack of sympathy & empathy really could push people to do terrible terrible things. Taissa Farmiga was a force of nature & Alexandra Daddario has now earn my respect as an actress. As sisters, they stay true to what usually close sisters do for one another. Sebastian Stan as expected (after I, Tonya) serving another astounding performance as a charming but hateful, sort of misunderstood antagonist.

This movie has no true genre. I was expecting gothic horror, but perhaps that was fault in having never read the book. It certainly was not scary (zero chills), nor was it suspenseful. But it does leave us pondering how equipped we are to handle human cruelty, both in enduring it, and in our capacity to forgive. Do we isolate ourselves or do we try to push forward? Or do we completely unravel and seek revenge or play out our hurt and rage until it has been avenged? These are questions this movie will leave you pondering, and of course much depends on our lot in life, our finances, our social support, our inner strength and many other factors.

A young girl, Farmiga, her older sister, Daddario and their uncle, Glover live in a vast house on the edge of village. An infamous murder spree of part of the family has not been forgotten by the hateful villagers and its impact on the 3 has been significant with all three suffering from various delusions and mental aberrations. The peace, such that it is, is shattered by the arrival of a cousin, Stan who starts taking control.

Very deliberately slow, this builds up scene by scene to what must inevitably resolve the situation. The atmosphere of impending doom and dread is impressive if you are prepared to stick with the pace. Director Passion never gives in to plain thriller / horror scenarios and even in the exciting climax and aftermath, she settles all our concerns neatly with an element of quiet discomfort. Could it have been better, definitely, but everyone in it is on top form and overall this is a underrated film experience.

We have always lived in a Castle - B (Good)

Based on Shirley Jackson's novel, the movie has intriguing premises and performances by Alexandra Daddario, Sebastian Stan and Crispin Glover. The movie did its best to create the atmospheric tension and town's hatred towards sisters successfully. While watching it, you do wonder who can look after Constance better, her sister Merricat or her cousin Charles. They both have their own motives, which in long run are not good for Constance. I have not read the book so, I am not sure if the book have more characterisation which can help us feel empathy towards understand Merricat. Her choices are questionable even if it's to save her sister as she comes across needy afraid to be left alone than a guardian.

Taissa Farmiga performance was good but her casting as a teenager in her 20s takes you away from the premise of intrigue of younger sister looking after her elder sister as Alexandria and Taissa maybe are around same age. Movie "Atonement" worked, as Saoirse Ronan was 13yrs old playing 13 years old. I reckon, movie would have been more effective with younger actress as Merricat.

I still enjoyed the movie, and was hooked by story and performances.

This movie was undoubtedly weird, but kind of in a good way. The storyline was captivating and the characters were well cast and well acted. Not scary, but had a definite creep factor.