Estranged

I only started to watch this for Amy Manson (Being Human),and was not expecting much. This is a cerebral thriller, although some scenes were too sadistic for my taste. The characters are well cast and take "dysfunctional family" to a whole new level. I found it a bit confusing once secrets were revealed and may watch it again (granted, I was tired). This is worth your time- don't watch if depressed- it is very dark. Manson exhibits incredible on-screen,smoldering intensity which makes her characters strong and intense. This one is not exception. I love movies with dark secrets and strong female protagonists (despite all she endures, her strength comes through).

I ended up quite liking this more than I thought I was going to. When it started and I saw the general picture quality (very indi) I was a little deterred, but that does not a bad movie make.

The story was engaging with the help of a decently good plot with twists and turns along the way with some pretty stellar performances. The casting director really killed it with this ensemble.

I do wish that when the big reveal comes at the end, it wasn't just a story being told within a flashback sequence, felt like a bit of a shortcut/ cop out. Regardless, this one was pretty good guys, well done. Would recommend.

This movie brings to mind the hey day of early seventies low budget British shockers from the likes of Amicus, Tigon, and Hammer. The days when all you needed to make a film was a spirited cast, a largely unknown bolstered by a single "name" performer recognisable to Americans (in this instance James Cosmo), and free access to a down at heel stately home.

It's hard to classify this movie in terms of genre, neither truly a thriller nor a horror. – it's more of a "creeper" than anything else. The sense of unease is ramped up throughout the convoluted twists and turns of the plot before plunging into true horror in the final third.

I think this has presented a problem for the marketing department and I feel that they may be making a mistake in the way that they are presenting it. Many people will feel mislead and disappointed that this isn't the horror movie that the posters suggest, which is a shame since it's more than that, it's a taught, well acted chiller that deserves to be more widely seen.

This is one of those films that I personally don't like, is not of the style of Horror movie that I enjoy, and yes is a Real Downer.

But, like I've mentioned in many of my reviews, especially when chiding others for doing this, just because I personally don't care for a film doesn't mean it isn't made well or isn't effective in what it's trying to do.

It's like I've mentioned before about Torture Porn Horror. I don't rate or review them and I certainly do Not watch them because I find them unpleasant and it just isn't my idea of 'Fun' But... I won't come here and give poor ratings and reviews to films like that (especially since I haven't watched them) just because I despise that particular Sub-Genre of Horror movie. That wouldn't be fair to those who do happen to like stories like that.

So, for this film I will say quite honestly that it is very well done, well acted, and absolutely creates the atmosphere of total dread and despair that I am quite sure it is shooting for. It just doesn't happen to be my kind of movie. But again, the very point of a review is to inform people if it is a well made film and to advise them of what type of story it is for those who may like movies like this.

For that reason I will give it a '5', but just like several reviewers say here, prepare to be depressed. This is Not a 'Fun' movie, which are the kind I like much, Much better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Particular Way of Rating:

5 - Flawed, but perhaps with some entertainment value for some.

6. A decently passable story maybe worth a watch.

7. A solid film, well made, effective, and entertaining.

And, obviously, you can probably figure out what above and below these would mean... : )

I've seen movies like this and this is on the more confusing side. I feel like the plot is so uneven and the characters, especially the main one, January, are really dull. I don't know, I guess I missed something while watching but don't think I'm going to watch this again.