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Superstition

  • 2001
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
5.0/10
614
YOUR RATING
Sienna Guillory in Superstition (2001)
DramaMysteryThriller

19 year old babysitter aupair Julie is accused of murder when the bed of the sheltered baby inflames. Is seems as if Julie possesses rare telepathic skills, that she cannot control. Her youn... Read all19 year old babysitter aupair Julie is accused of murder when the bed of the sheltered baby inflames. Is seems as if Julie possesses rare telepathic skills, that she cannot control. Her young lawyer fights for her in court and against the public opinion in Italy, who take her for... Read all19 year old babysitter aupair Julie is accused of murder when the bed of the sheltered baby inflames. Is seems as if Julie possesses rare telepathic skills, that she cannot control. Her young lawyer fights for her in court and against the public opinion in Italy, who take her for a witch.

  • Director
    • Kenneth Hope
  • Writers
    • Paul Hoffman
    • Kate Dennis
    • Stephen Volk
  • Stars
    • Mark Strong
    • Sienna Guillory
    • David Warner
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.0/10
    614
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kenneth Hope
    • Writers
      • Paul Hoffman
      • Kate Dennis
      • Stephen Volk
    • Stars
      • Mark Strong
      • Sienna Guillory
      • David Warner
    • 13User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Photos2

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    Top cast34

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    Mark Strong
    Mark Strong
    • Antonio Gabrieli
    Sienna Guillory
    Sienna Guillory
    • Julie McCullough
    David Warner
    David Warner
    • Judge Padovani
    Frances Barber
    Frances Barber
    • Isabella Flores
    Alice Krige
    Alice Krige
    • Mirella Cenci
    Derek de Lint
    Derek de Lint
    • Allessandro Censi
    Charlotte Rampling
    Charlotte Rampling
    • Frances Matteo
    David Schofield
    David Schofield
    • Roberto Fallaci
    David Sterne
    David Sterne
    • Vassi
    Wendy Veldhuis
    • Sarah Gabrieli
    Richard Durden
    Richard Durden
    • Minister of Justice
    Matyelok Gibbs
    • Grandmother Cenci
    Frank Ogilvie
    • Usher
    Rachel Bell
    Rachel Bell
    • Forewoman of the Jury
    Tanya Ronder
    • Cellmate
    Lachele Carl
    Lachele Carl
    • News Reporter
    Frederick Warder
    Frederick Warder
    • Waiter
    Debbie Korper
    • Prison Guard
    • Director
      • Kenneth Hope
    • Writers
      • Paul Hoffman
      • Kate Dennis
      • Stephen Volk
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    5.0614
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    Featured reviews

    8druidbloke

    Enjoyed the film, it kept my interest to the end

    Just a quick one to say some of the previous reviewers didn't seem to quite get the full meaning of the plot or script, they might leave you with the impression this film is one of those films where strange things happen without reason and not much makes sense, it isn't, it's actually pretty tight with few inconsistencies, the ending was spot on and satisfying, if a little rushed and predictable. It is debatable if this really could be classed as a horror, it's really more about the characters as the supernatural element is played down, there's no vagueness that some unknown force is at work though as suggested by a previous reviewer, one scene confirms it beyond doubt but I wont give anything away, The acting was very good throughout, especially from Mark Strong, also good to see Charlotte Rampling and David warner turn in good performances.
    3lia00027

    Confusing story with bad female main character

    I really don't like with the woman whom is the main character in this film. Usually we like the female main character, but I really think that she is stupid, and very suck. She can't do anything without his lawyer help, and she's acting like crazy people.

    This movie is not really good, because: 1. The scenario is weakness. 2. There is to much flash back which make me bored and confused. 3. One part and the other part sometime doesn't have clear relationship. 4. The ending is not finished yet, which make me hate this film. 5. Fool female main character which people usually don't like because too weak. 6. Very stupid create film about fire if even the main character problem is not known well.
    2bitterstranger

    Patchy, inconsistent and inconclusive

    The only good thing about this film is the presence of well known acting legends like Charlotte Rampling and less famous actors whose average to good talents cannot rescue a rather poor script. The whole thing feels more like an afternoon TV series than a proper film. The plot is messy and inconclusive. Fires happen around the girl - we are given different suggestions on how to interpret that, but none of those are actually explored at all. Is it deliberate arson, was she acting out of jealousy, was it paranormal activity, or was she in denial? We don't know. The contradictory conclusion of the trial doesn't explain a thing either.

    Another thing that doesn't get any sort of proper development is the relationship between the girl and her lawyer. It seems clear a mutual attraction is developing, and the flashbacks (definitely far too many!) he is having of his deceased wife suggest he is struggling to let go of his grief and start a new life, possibly with the girl he is defending, but that's only hinted at very weakly. While Mark Strong manages to add some personality to the lawyer character, the lukewarm performance by the actress playing the girl doesn't give any real clues about her feelings for him. The hints of romance could have turned out all the better for being underplayed, but the acting is not convincing enough even for that.

    Finally, the inconsistencies in the plot. I don't expect a lot of realism from a story that exploits some undefined "paranormal" occurrences, but the film can't make up its mind between a pragmatic and a supernatural interpretation. Again, that ambiguity could have been a winning factor, if it had been real, purposeful ambiguity rather than flaws in the plot and character development. During the trial, a dubious expert on the paranormal is brought in to try and support a "fires start around her because she's upset" line of defense that incidentally leads nowhere. How likely is it that any court would accept that as a valid testimony? Charlotte Rampling's character, the nun who was introduced as psychiatrist (why? it's never explained), seems to have no precise role in the story either, except as improvised grief counselor for the defending lawyer.

    Even more glaringly inconsistent bits: in Italy a case for murder would never have a trial by jury. The most hilarious logic-defying bit has to be the shot of a double-decker red bus in the English countryside.

    This film is a half-baked production that can't even properly explore its main theme - the supersitions about witchcraft could have been brought in a lot more forcefully, whether to debunk them or reinforce them or leave a well-crafted ambiguity, but the script doesn't do any of that, it just starts down all of those paths at the same time without convincingly following any of them. It's a pity, because the original real story this is based on was definitely fascinating material.
    7Mikew3001

    Surreal fantasy thriller about supernatural power

    This movie is based on a true story: In 1979 a British au-pair girl was working for an Italian family on the island of Elba and accused of firestarting and witchcraft after a few fatal incidents and a burnt-down house - the family told the judge she has caused the fires by "supernatural powers". She was accused guilty in 1982 but returned to England.

    The film shows basically the same plot with stunning Sienna Guillory as the au-pair girl Julie with supernatural powers. Mark Strong plays her lawyer Antonio who has to fight mainly against prejudices and the fundamental superstition of the people and the media. Director Kenneth Hope hasn't produced a copy of the doomy "Exorcist" and "Omen" horror movies, but rather a silent psycho drama with great actings by Guillory, Strong, Charlotte Rampling, Alice Kringe and David Warner. There is no happy end, a thrilling court room drama sequence and there are also some very surreal and disturbing dream sequences.

    If you relate "Superstition" to the horror movie genre, it's one of the best contemporary European genre productions apart from the boring popcorn horror movie remakes and teenie slasher trash of the current Hollywood productions.
    7arronizmiguel

    A good movie, Interesting and Original.

    I'm not a critic and I believe THEY JUST CAN'T ENJOY ANY MOVIE. If you persevere you can find errors even on the CLOUDS!

    Me, a simple guy who loves to see movies, can ENJOY them without having to criticize anything, Just "Sit and Watch". Can say I liked the movie... or I didn't... And that's enough.

    For everyone belonging to this group, let me tell you, SUPERSTITION is a good movie, with that European feeling... Artistic, interesting, where you actually can use your imagination and be engaged with the story.

    The intervention of David Warner (one of my favorite Actors) is a blessing to the cast. The leading roles are very well done and the supporting actors too.

    Perhaps the use of a more "Hollywood-Style-use-of-Songs" are something that crashed on my brain, but nothing too serious.

    Movies in which a big part of them are spent on the Court room are something many will like from this one, since that's because a paranormal event, the better.

    The publicity tries to involve something more "Satanic", but that's wrong... paranormal has nothing to do with it.

    Don't try to find something like "The Exorcist"... This one might be considered as: "The X-Files meets Carrie"

    As I always say, NEVER back up any critic unless you have seen the movie. A decent effort well done.

    .

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The casting of William Dix as a juror is a nod to playing a victim of a similar character in Confession à un cadavre (1965).

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    FAQ13

    • How long is Superstition?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 13, 2001 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • Netherlands
      • United Kingdom
      • Luxembourg
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Суеверие
    • Filming locations
      • Amsterdam Studio's, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Movie Masters
      • Delux Productions
      • Woodline Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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