Stonehearst Asylum

I only watched this movie because it had the word "Asylum" in the title (Honestly - I just hoped it would have some Arkham Asylum type crazies in it). I did not have high expectations when I started watching this movie...

Was I pleasantly surprised - it was a GREAT movie and I almost wanted to watch it again. I liked the characters and their stories, the setting as well as well as the plot twist at the end.

I must however point out that the fact that the movie description/summary I read contained a key spoiler - this did not spoil the movie for me, but I would have enjoyed the film even more had I not known certain details.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic movie and I was a little bit sad when it ended.

Had a great time watching this movie. I'm not a fan of 'old time-y' films but this was a good watch. The story was so that it kept my interest as I kept wondering where it was going to go with all this and I felt at one point it would turn out a bit cliché. I was wrong, and never bored getting from one scene to the next. I recommend it but I can't say much more other than I liked the cast (Don't want to spoil it). Great actors/actresses.

I wondered what Kate Beckinsale was doing in such a film but then it all became clear, she did great, looked great. Micheal Caine, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Kingsley and even David Thewlis were all wonderful. It was my first time encountering Jim Sturgess in any film but he did a great job too, I mean, everyone was right at the top of their game.

The movie is not fast on its feet and contains little action but it makes up for it all with a well told and engaging story. Plenty of suspense.

Overall: I highly recommend it. Maybe not a 'must watch' but after you see it, you'll be glad you didn't miss it. Great ending too.

I like the cast, setting and general idea of the movie, but I think the direction does not go far enough to build tension. The movie is thus only OK, when it had all the ingredients necessary to make it thrilling. The script gives away too much too early to then focus on a less interesting plot. If it were co keep to the original premise of the E. A. Poe short story with a more suspensfull direction it might have been better. As is, it is a sort of OK, but forgetable film.

Great acting from an impressive cast.

Yes the story is based on a Poe story, but instead of finding it eerie I found myself laughing out loud at some parts,(maybe that's just me).

If you haven't seen the trailer then all the better, a few twists and turns become apparent about 30mins into the film. But there is more to it so don't feel disappointed.

In general an entertaining film about lunatics and an asylum, set in a Gothic era, the cast really do bring a lot to this film.

Ben Kingsley imparticular brings so much to his character.

I give it a good 7.5 out of 10

I'd forgotten how much pop scares got on my tits until I watched Stonehearst Asylum. Because it doesn't have a single one. And it's a fine film.

I think it's somewhat miss-sold as a horror, though it's hard to know how else it should have been marketed. There's plenty of jeopardy but scarcely any gore. I guess its most accurately described as a Gothic romance.

It's a loose riff off Poe's "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" with a few canny twists.

The cast is stellar: Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine, Kate Beckinsale, Sinead Cusak.

I tend to define films in terms of whether or not I would enjoy watching them with my undoubtedly better half. in this case, yes. It's a cracking film with a rattling storyline, The odd proto- feminist moment and no horror cheap shots. What's not to like?