Jack Be Nimble

(1993) Jack Be Nimble PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPERNATURAL HORROR

Co-written and directed by Garth Maxwell making what could've been a fascinating horror movie from New Zealand which starts out with two very connected children ending up into the orphanage as a result of some dysfunctional family circumstance with good parents adopting the sister, Dora while bad parents adopting the brother, Jack. They're then become interconnected once the sister inhabits some telepathic powers as a result of knocking herself unconscious to the ground who then possess the ability to not only converse with other people by using her mind and without speaking to them, but also has the ability to listen to the undead similar to the kid in "The Sixth Sense". While she's living in a normal environment, the same thing can't be said for Jack for he gets abused repeatedly by the all the women in the household which includes four bushy haired sisters and an abnormal mother and father who consistently beat him. The brother and sister are eventually going to reunite but as a result of people getting killed in the process whereas Jack always uses a contraption that can hypnotize people. And there's not a single law enforcement officer throughout the entire movie where adults can pretty much assault people without any consequences. The movie is very spontaneously made with the 'rules' don't even apply to the people in the area, for it must have taken place on some deserted remote town that's somehow isolated from the others.

This fantastic film is an adventure based upon an old fairy tale with the stepmother and three gruesome step sisters. But Jack will be taking his bloody revenge.

Our film club featured this, and all the viewers were astonished. It's brutal, it's beautiful, it's sparkling with splatter and horror ideas. A true classic, and hidden gem! A complete movie of of vibrant colors sick ideas! The use of colors are greater than David Lynch manages in his films, and reminded me in that way of Blue Velvet!

You really don't know what you've been missing out before you see this! Go head over heels to get hold of this one! Though it deserves to be seen at a large screen, or preferably in a cinema, though that might be difficult for most.

This is one fine example of how great New Zealand cinema scene is, and I'll without any doubt consider this as a classic but refined gore, which should inspire many.

So get gold of this must-see film! But, of course... be nimble!

"Jack Be Nimble" is a strange and unpleasant movie, the result of an unsuccessful attempt to mix a whimsical gothic horror story with down-and-dirty social realism. The movie doesn't manage any atmosphere or scares and thus fails as horror, gothic or otherwise. Its attempts at realism also fail, with one-note performances and the constant incursion of the story's supernatural elements, which don't mesh with the real locations and lack of style on offer.

The plot: a brother and sister are orphaned and split up when the sister is adopted first. She is adopted into a loving family, but the boy ends up being abused by sadistic foster parents, and spooked by their four daughters, who materialise over him and watch him sleep. He eventually escapes when he uses his mind control abilities with a machine he made in metal work to get his revenge, and then goes off to find his sister. She shacks up with the legendary character actor Bruno Lawrence, in what I believe may have been his last film appearance. Their relationship - a young girl with a much older man - is too "real" for this material, like the theme of abusive foster parents. There are ways for the supernatural fiction genre to deal with distressing, real-world issues, but this movie doesn't find them.

The main character is played by pre-surgery Alexis Arquette. I didn't realise he wasn't Kiwi, so he must have nailed the accent. He's kind of weird looking, though, like a Calvin Klein model with acromegaly. He reminds me of Rondo Hatton.

The movie was just such an awkward mix - and quite unpleasant in places - that I wasn't able to focus on it for long. It didn't make much sense and I don't think I wanted it to. I probably should have bailed out early.

I recently watched the New Zealand film 🇳🇿 Jack Be Nimble (1993) on Shudder. The story follows a brother and sister abandoned by their parents, forced to rely on each other to survive. Eventually, they are adopted into separate families and endure various forms of neglect and abuse. Desperate to reunite, they finally find each other-but when they do, all hell breaks loose for everyone in their path... including their biological parents.

Directed by Garth Maxwell (When Love Comes Along), the film stars Alexis Arquette (Pulp Fiction), Sarah Smuts-Kennedy (This Is Not a Love Story), Elizabeth Hawthorne (30 Days of Night), and Tony Barry (Goodbye Pork Pie).

This movie exceeded my expectations. The writing and acting are top-notch, and the depth of the characters, along with their internal struggles, feels raw and authentic. The film effectively sets up its circumstances, making the emotional turmoil palpable in every scene. Alexis Arquette is phenomenal as Jack, delivering a haunting and intense performance, while Sarah Smuts-Kennedy also shines in a strong supporting role. The sibling bond is deeply felt, as is the weight of their trauma-making it clear this rollercoaster ride won't end well.

In conclusion, Jack Be Nimble is a unique blend of serial killer thriller and Bonnie and Clyde-style chaos, packed with authenticity and intensity from start to finish. I really liked it and would rate it an 8/10.

Bizarre but serious horror film that piques your interest from the opening scene. Maintains a unique and colorful atmosphere throughout. The depths of human evil are depicted here as if one were watching a fairy tale with witches and goblins (thus the Jack of nursery rhyme is chosen here). Great score, by the way, that helps to create the atmosphere throughout.

I recommend it as a good Halloween treat, but definitely not for children.