Stonehearst Asylum (2014) User Reviews

Brilliant!

[pjr235 · 8/10 · 30 October 2014]

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.

Exciting, Macabre, Gothic Thriller

[DareDevilKid · 7/10 · 2 November 2014]

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)

Rating: 3.6/5 stars

If you like period pieces, psychopathic characters, excellent actors, and plenty of atmospherics, then "Stonehearst Asylum" should be right up your alley. Between its distinctly modern intelligence and razor-sharp plotting, Director, Brad Anderson's clever contraption almost matches the heights of Gothic grandeur that keep Poe held in high esteem even today.

Anderson clearly takes delight in all the proceedings, which is one of the reasons the film feels fresh. While the film might lack some the macabre drama and dark humor of the original Edgar Allan Poe tale, it still does a fine job of conveying a creepy, engaging thriller with a brilliant Gothic atmosphere and fine performances from its terrific ensemble cast.

There's probably a brilliant, award-worthy film to be made about the inhumane way the medical practice dealt with the mentally ill in the past. This one isn't it, but it is nonetheless a solid, sturdy piece of entertainment. "Stonehearst Asylum" is an insane, Gothic thriller with a lot of chills, thrills, and fun to be had along the way.

Great cast and entertaining

[kandnmorgan · 7/10 · 28 October 2014]

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

More hammer than Hammer

[steve-2795 · 7/10 · 31 July 2015]

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?

Introduces a great debate about the treatment of the mentally ill

[rioplaydrum · 7/10 · 5 February 2015]

The young doctor Newgate, stumbling in from the cold, introduces himself outside the gates of the isolated and ominous towering buildings of the Stonehearst Asylum, eager to observe and learn.

And receives much more than he bargained for.

The good doctor quickly discovers the central secret of Stonehearst early in the plot, and must then painfully confront a complicated question: Are the patients better off at the hands of doctors who are attempting to 'cure' through sadistic means, or would their world be a better place if ruled by one of their own compassionate (and thoroughly mad) unfortunates?

Silas Lamb, the storys' antagonist, is brought to life as only Ben Kingsly can do it. Silas is confident and driven, and has the specter of a man filled with seething anger that rages just under the surface. When he looks at you, you freeze. When he talks, you listen. When he yells, you shake.

The story all by itself would have made an exceptional book. For me, experiencing the same in a movie stunts some of that imagination that can only be provided in print. For a couple examples, I found Dr. Newgates' character annoyingly wimpy. In most scenes, he looks as if he might break down and cry at any moment. Just not quite enough machismo to qualify as the hero with adequate taste.

The sets inside the asylum rubbed me wrong, too. While historically accurate (as far as I know), they are visually over-the-top and a bit cartoonish looking. I got the feeling I was experiencing a multi-million dollar ride at Disney Land, not an actual place as it would genuinely appear and feel with gas-lighting and coal-fired heat in the middle of a brutal winter season.

All in all a good bet, great character developments and a final twist at the end that left me satisfied.

Highly underrated movie, surprisingly smart and will keep you wanting more

[mbarnard-smini · 9/10 · 8 December 2014]

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.

A movie that is good & worth seeing but with this cast it should have been better. I can see why it wasn't a big release.

[cosmo_tiger · 6/10 · 5 November 2014]

"Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see." Edward Newgate (Sturgess) has just graduated medical school and takes a job at a mental institution. When he gets to know his fellow doctors he isn't sure what to think. Little by little he begins to uncover secrets about the asylum and the more he finds out the stranger things seem. This was a good movie but at the same time it was also disappointing. I liked the idea of this and the twists were perfect and placed at the right time. None of them seemed too far fetched, but that also could have been because the movies was about an insane asylum. With a cast like this however I was expecting something a little bit better. Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Kingsly and Michael Caine are all big name actors but the movie never rose to their level. This is a movie that is worth watching but it's best to temper your expectations when you see the cast. Overall, a movie that is good and worth seeing but with this cast I feel it could have been better. I can see why it wasn't a big theater release. I give this a disappointing B-.

Great twists, but a bit too much at the ending

[Seraphion · 6/10 · 7 March 2015]

The story presents many points of plot twists and major revelations. But for me the ending seems to be way over done particularly when compared to the story's starting point. The movie is nicely done for me. It keeps the mystery aura very thick. The flash backs and role reversals between the characters captures the audience in a very curious position. But then for me the surprise at the ending makes the finale feel way over done. The acting overall is a nice job for me. Kate Beckinsale actually loses some of her appeal but she is still quite beautiful. Jim Sturgess did quite alright as a doctor in this movie. But the main attraction is indeed Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley who did a great acting job in giving vivid live to their roles.

Eerily entertaining & engrossing! One to see twice!

[spryisfly · 9/10 · 12 November 2014]

Surprisingly smart movie. My eyes were glued to the screen. I wanted to watch it again right after I saw it. It has a bit of a "Shutter Island" feel to it, however the only things similar are Ben Kingsley, a Mental institution, suspense, spoilers, a script and story that keeps you pleasantly confused, and solid acting. I was unsure whether or not I wanted to watch this movie because of middle-of-the-road reviews. I'm a serious film freak, and maybe I disagree with critics on movies with style and substance that are THIS original. I gave movies like "Cloud Atlas," "Snowpiercer," "Inception," 9 of 10 ☆s. If you love unique films with plot twists, you'll like "Stonehearst Asylum!"

Well, it certainly is no 'SESSION 9'... But, it is a well made, entertaining film. Blu-ray: Excellent A:9 V:9

[lathe-of-heaven · 7/10 · 17 December 2014]

When you've made an absolute masterpiece like 'SESSION 9' (and not everyone necessarily agrees) it is a pretty difficult thing to follow. ('SESSION 9' happens to be one of my ALL TIME favourite Horror films) So, you can imagine that my expectations were quite high, probably higher than they should have been. But, I REALLY do like a nice Classic Period Gothic Chiller (HAMMER anyone...?) and coincidentally I frigg'n LOVE Horror films about Asylums, so I was very much looking forward to seeing this.

I will say this though: 'Thank GOD that it was absolutely NOTHING like 'THE CALL', which in my lowly and wretched opinion, was just about THE most hideous piece of steaming $hit I have ever seen. I remember painfully TRYING to watch that, thinking, 'THIS is the guy who did 'SESSION 9' and 'TRANSSIBERIA'...???

Clearly, MOST of the time the director is indeed very talented and knows what he is doing (perhaps 'THE CALL' was the result of studio meddling) In this film, the acting was excellent all around. The story kept one's interest, especially when fairly early on you begin to realize that everything is not exactly as it seems. There really is nothing at all 'Wrong' with the film in any way, but probably just for me personally, I would have liked the story to be a bit more intense and the plot points and/or twists to have a little more 'Oomph' behind them. I guess I just found the story, although good and entertaining, to be somewhat on the laid-back and light side. I think that if the director could have possibly infused a bit more of an undercurrent of intensity and palpable 'Mood' (like in 'SESSION 9') I feel that that would have added a lot more to the film.

But, with that said, the movie is very competently done and it is engaging and all of the characters are interesting. I just REALLY would have liked the 'twists' and atmosphere to pack more of a punch. I was kind of generous giving it a '7', but going by what I feel objectively the general appeal of the film would be to others, rather than just my personal, snotty preference, that seems about right.

So, I would say that if the look and premise of this film appeals to you, you should find it pretty entertaining. BUT... if you REALLY want to have your B@lls locked in a Psychological vise and smacked around for a couple of hours, make SURE that you catch 'SESSION 9' when you have a dark, quiet, and completely undistracted moment...

TOO LONG

[anaisoropezaj · 3/10 · 19 August 2021]

I felt like nothing was Happening until the end of the movie. Long and boring that's how I would describe it.

Gothic and eerie... almost that is.

[tommy-97761 · 6/10 · 23 June 2022]

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.

We're all mad Dr. Newgate. Some are simply not mad enough to admit it.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 29 January 2017]

Stonehearst Asylum (AKA: Eliza Graves) is directed by Brad Anderson and adapted to screenplay by Joe Gangemi. It's loosely based on an Edgar Allan Poe short story. It stars Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, David Thewlis, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine, Jason Flemyng and Brendan Gleeson. Music is by John Debney and cinematography by Thomas Yatsko.

Stonehearst Asylum - Is nothing as it seems?

For his latest foray into the horror mystery realm, director Anderson provides a film that is away from conventionality's. The horror here is the blurry lines between sanity and insanity, and it has plenty of tricks and dark humour up its sleeves as well. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out quite early on what is going on at Stonehearst, the makers leave enough clues, but as the ungodly treatments show their hands, and the caustic observations on mental health and the treatment of such are made, there's a strong mystery element booming out of the screen.

Naturally this is a tale full of weird, wonderful and scary characters, and with that comes equal helpings of brutality and tenderness. The key characters are very Poesque, all magnificently framed by the Gothic surroundings (where the design department have worked wonders), while Yatsko's photography is gorgeous or chilly as required. Cast come up trumps, the right blend of Gothic ham and emotionally driven portrayals. Savaged by many critics upon release, it has risen above that to gain a deserved fan base, the word of mouth on the street crucially preparing newcomers for the tone of the play. 7/10

A thriller film that's not quite as insane as its premise // instagram: moviesmaniax

[moviesmaniax · 7/10 · 19 February 2015]

A thriller film that's not quite as insane as its premise. This film has some big name stars in it and their performances really pay off and make the movie more entertaining and interesting to watch. Even though there might be some irritating moments with the main character at first but it did wrap up quite well in its twist ending with some humorous moments along the way as well. There are one or two GORY scenes but the film itself is not trying to be gory so don't expect any of that as well as the SCARE. Overall, this is an entertaining thriller flick with great cast and nice twisted concept and ending that will leave you satisfy enough if you didn't go in with high expectation in the first place. >>B-<<

Surprisingly good!

[m_gh_gh · 9/10 · 31 October 2014]

I guess the IMDb rating is not anymore relevant for the quality of the movies nowadays. back then, prior to 2005, it was a good sign of distinguishing good movies from the crap, but not anymore. I guess IMDb authorities have to find ways to prevent organised efforts leading to high/low rating of the movies in their website. I have been already a victim of false ratings ,i.e. Chef, but now I read only the reviews before I watch a movie.

Having this movie below 7, I thought I should double think about watching it. but after reading some reviews here I gave it a go and can't regret a single minute of it. the movie theme is strong, characters are well-cooked and beautifully directed. I would have normally given it 7/10, cause I gave 10/10 only to very brilliant movies like "Edge of tomorrow", "Minority report", "Forest Gump", "Brave heart", etc. however, after seeing the rating of this movie in par or lower than some recent craps, I decided to give it 9/10.

It is a good movie which makes you feel good about spending 2 hours of your life for watching it.

An old fashioned Edgar Allen Poe story

[peterp-450-298716 · 6/10 · 12 November 2014]

"The satisfaction of helping those in hell. See, of all the afflictions, I can think of none more, more cruel than madness, sir. See, it robs a man of his reason, his dignity, his very soul. And it does so, so slowly, without the remorse of death."

Can you remember Ben Kingsley in "Shutter Island" as head of a psychiatric institution dressed up in a white overcoat ? In "Stone Hearst Asylum" he took that white overcoat back out of the closet and while smoking a pipe with a pensive look, he's extensively lecturing about the revolutionary method he applies at psychiatric patients. It's a movie based on the short story "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" from 1845, written by the supreme master of horror stories, Edgar Allan Poe. This master of the sinister and macabre, who used the dark depths of the human soul and primal fears as a foundation, situated this story in the south of France in those days. An institution used an unconventional way to treat internees. Instead of locking them up, they allowed patients to empathize with their delusions and their madness.

The whole story is relocated to Britain in the Victorian era. In that time psychiatry still used inhumane methods such as bloodletting, rotational therapies and outright torture by use of electrocution or near-drowning. It's in this period that Dr. Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) arrives at the quite spooky looking and secluded Stone Hearst Asylum. A Victorian building that easily could be used as background for an old horror movie and resembles Count Dracula's castle in Transylvania. Newgate wants to gain clinical experience in this institution. A tour of Dr. Lamb shows that the psychiatric treatments used look pretty bizarre. Soon however, he's warned by Eliza Graves (Kate Beckinsale), a gifted pianist who looks absolutely beautiful and immediately arouses Newgate's curiosity. She urges him to leave Stonehearst as soon as possible.

And then we're off for an old-fashioned detective thriller where Newgate is trying to figure out what hidden secrets there are within the walls. A costume film with lots of candlelight and draughty corridors and dungeons. A sad fact is that very early in the film the greatest secret is revealed, so the tension actually gets badly mauled. It's not a real nail-biter anymore afterwards and eventually it evolves into a dated suspense film with a touch of romance, a spark of excitement and a bit of comedy. Nicely designed though, but at the same time as gruesome as an episode of Sesame Street. However, the final denouement was still Poe worthy and fairly surprising.

Brad Anderson can be highly thankful for getting together such a star cast for this movie. Celebrities like Ben Kingsley and Michael Caine are not just any actors. Unfortunately Caine's contribution is fairly limited. That's because of the circumstances in which he finds himself and afterwards because of his mental state. Kingsley can indulge himself in his role as the fairly unstable and unpredictable Dr.Lamb. A role with emotions swinging back and forth like an old fashioned pendulum clock. But the most I enjoyed the character Mickey Finn, played by David Thewlis (Better known as Remus Lupin from Harry Potter). A fairly disturbed figure with murderous thoughts. Kate Beckinsale provides the visual delight with her beautiful appearance. Although she's actually the most normal looking person among all the other crazy characters, I always felt like watching at Keira Knightley in "A dangerous method". An expressive facial expression accompanied by a lot of sighs and groans. Jim Sturgess was predominantly in the picture, but actually didn't make an overwhelming impression.

In the end it wasn't an earth-shattering movie. Amusing yes. And there are worse ways to spend your time. What stays with you are the odd personages who roam through the corridors of this institution: the man who thinks he's a horse and only meekly follows orders when he's being threatened that his next comb-over will be skipped, the nymphomaniac nurse and the Frankenstein-like wild man locked in a dungeon. The wise words told to aspiring psychologists at the beginning "Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.", is indeed applicable to this film, because there are some whoppers of story twists in the end. Final tip : don't watch any trailer, because they give away too much !

More reviews at http://opinion-as-a-moviefreak.blogspot.be

One terrific film

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 8 February 2015]

I loved "Stonehearst Asylum" and consider it among the best films I've seen recently. However, I'll be honest with you--why I like it probably isn't the reason you'd like the film. As a retired therapist and psychology teacher, I love films that talk about the history of mental health treatment--and this film is set during the bad old days of mental health treatment, when asylums were practically houses of horror. Add to this that the film is based loosely (very loosely) on an Edgar Allen Poe story and you've got most of what you'd need to capture my interest. Fortunately, the film also works when it comes to the acting--and there are some really terrific performances.

The film is set at Stonehearst--a mental hospital in the middle of nowhere. The place is a fancy asylum for folks with lots of money and a new doctor (Jim Sturgess) has just arrived there. However, it soon becomes painfully clear that the man who runs the place (Ben Kingsley) just ain't right. Exactly what the problem is...well, you'll have to find that out for yourself as I would really hate to spoil the film. There are many dark secrets and twists that should catch you by surprise. Add to the equation the nice acting of Kate Beckinsale and a nice cameo by Michael Caine and you have a rather strong cast.

This movie is a terrific horror film--but not the sort of horror film you might expect. There are no supernatural or inexplicable scary people--just a lot of malevolence, menace and a complete loss of control. I'd say more...but as I mentioned above, I really don't want to spoil your viewing experience. Suffice to say that this is a very well made film--with a very strong story that would really appeal to adults. Well worth your time.

loved it!

[dutu-cornelia · 10/10 · 27 October 2014]

I just saw this movie last night...I loved it.

I was a little skeptical at first, I'm not into this kind of movies, but I'm glad I watched it. It was never what I expected of it, I was sure that I know what will happens only to be blown away every single time.

As for the end, lol, it was funny and more than good.

I do not understand why it says that it will come out in November...because I've seen it last night and it's still October.

I gave it a 10, because it's been a long time since I've seen a movie where I can't figure it out what will happen in the next scene or how it will end.

Entertaining Insane Gothic Thriller

[mrcibubur · 7/10 · 24 December 2014]

A most enjoyable and entertaining film with a quality cast of actors and actresses who do an excellent job to develop the story and the suspense which stems from it from beginning to the end.

This is certainly a film on DVD you will be tempted to watch more than once to catch up on the little bits you might have missed along the way.

Might even suggest and recommend the movie makes excellent viewing for Christmas Day but it certainly offers an intriguing insight to an Asylum at the turn of the nineteenth century into the twentieth.

I understood Lunacy to mean from 'luna' the moon in Latin and a Lunatic as someone who went mad from looking at the full moon or something like that. Lunacy was not in fact the main feature of the film but rather other reasons why people were kept locked up in an asylum (rather than say for a petty crime in Jail). It might also have been an alternative to the Victorian workhouse but that aspect is also not focus of the film.

I doubt the story of Mr Poe bears any semblance to the story acted out in the film but that does not matter.

There is nothing pretentious or offensive about the film, it seeks to entertain on a sensitive topic and I believe that it verily succeeds.

So much talent and yet it simply never gels.

[juliankennedy23 · 6/10 · 24 September 2018]

Stonehearst Asylum: 6 out of 10: An all-star cast (Kate Beckinsale, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine etc) take on a Poe tale about an asylum for the mentally deranged which may not be as it seems. Into this Asylum comes a new doctor (Jim Sturgess) starting his practice who quickly shakes the apple cart as he finds himself obsessing about a woman (Beckinsale) even though she is a patient there.

The Good: The acting is solid all the way around. Neither Caine nor Kingsley sleepwalk their way to a paycheck. An activity both (particularly Kingsley) have been guilty of on occasion. (The prosecutor would like to put into states evidence Jaws 4 and BloodRayne). David Thewlis, however, takes his character to the next level. He outshines his peers in a wonderfully nuanced and menacing performance.

The production values are also top notch, with delightful Victorian costumes and furnishings. The whole film has a wonderful polished period-perfect look.

The Bad: I have a hard time figuring out if Jim Sturgess as the main protagonist is miscast or if his character is simply miswritten. The movie holds some cards so close to the vest that, while certain characterizations make sense in hindsight, it doesn't negate the fact that on the surface Sturgess' doctor simply seems off. Since he is our main protagonist who is in almost every scene and who is the stand-in for the audience it can make for a frustrating viewing experience.

The Ugly: The movie keeps up the facade that the new doctor mustn't find out the secret. Even though the new doctor figures it out well before the first act is done. I mean it is as obvious as Ric Ocasek dressed as a woman. Mr. Magoo wouldn't be fooled for long. It creates a weird tension where the New Doctor must not reveal he figured it out even as the evidence piles up in front of him. It is a great idea in a way but the tension never seems to build as it should. It instead comes across as silly.

In Conclusion: Well there are no ghosts in the movie and for this I am thankful. I feared ghosts based on the story synopsis and poster art. There is also a great ending (almost a stinger) that almost saves the movie. Unfortunately, the film that precedes the ending simply never seems to be able to create tension, horror, pathos or romance that keeps one invested in the proceedings. The romance between Sturgess' new doctor and Beckinsale's mental patient seems creepy, wrong and something out of middle school. The horror is basically non-existent. Despite Thewlis performance, the tension seems to drain out of every scene. So much talent and yet it simply never gels. An okay film that with the talent involved, simply should have been better.

Falling short, avoiding some really great chances for intensity, humor, and surprise

[secondtake · 6/10 · 23 February 2015]

Stonehearst Asylum (2014)

A Gothic horror tale based on an Edgar Allen Poe tale, filled with the grotesque excesses of Victorian medicine and mental health treatments. Throw in Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley as two opposing forces in this literal madhouse, and you might think you have a humdinger here.

But no. Director Brad Anderson manages a routine construction here, missing out on both the possibility of camp and the seemingly inevitable macabre. Not that the movie is ever plodding—it manages always to be creepy and unusual—but there is too much potential here unrealized. Add a very routine (aka boring) leading performance by Jim Sturgess and you have trouble.

On the other hand, the dark, bizarre setting (filmed in Bulgaria) is great stuff for this plot. And once you get absorbed in the rival camps, representing alternative mental health treatment philosophies, you'll enjoy the big twist. And then be prepared for another big twist at the very end, which is dished out with offhand ease. It's almost gripping, almost shocking, almost wild.

But nothing quite takes off here, except maybe the set design. Give it a go for fun, for sure, but just for fun.

Very happy I took the time to see this

[lunchboxwanderer · 9/10 · 25 October 2014]

Stonehearst Asylum is an excellent movie.

It has so many great actors in it. They all played their parts wonderfully.

It was suspenseful, intriguing, dramatic, thrilling and in a way horrifically ironic.

I guess that does describe Poe, who wrote the story.

It has an interesting twist at the end, which I didn't expect, and I am always looking for a twist.

However, the twist was refreshing, even sardonic which is rare these days.

This is a tight film. You won't find yourself looking at your phone, ever.

Hence, I highly recommend it.

9 out of 10.

One of the Best Films Released This Year

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 24 October 2015]

A couple of days before 1899 Christmas, the Oxford new graduate Dr. Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) arrives at the Stonehearst Asylum for a training period as alienist. He is received by armed men commanded by Mickey Finn (David Thewlis) that takes him to the office of the superintendent Dr. Silas Lamb (Ben Kingsley), who tells that has not received his presentation letter but welcomes his help. Edward is surprised by the unusual treatment of Dr. Lamb that leaves the interns free in the institution instead of drugged and imprisoned. When he is introduced to the patient Eliza Graves (Kate Beckinsale), he becomes infatuated with her. He learns that she has partially mutilated the face of her abusive husband, who is a powerful man, and has been resident at the asylum since a couple of months ago.

One night, Edward overhears a beat from the dungeons and he decides to investigate. He finds a group of ragged incarcerated people and he believes they are patients. However, one woman calls him by his name and he learns that they are the superintendent Benjamin Salt (Michael Caine), doctors, nurses and staff from the Stonehearst Asylum. Further, the lunatics have overthrown them under the command of Lamb. Meanwhile, Eliza advises Edward to leave the asylum while it is possible, but Edward tells that he will only flee with her. What will Edward do?

"Eliza Graves" is one of the best films released this year. The engaging thriller has a story with many twists, and the last plot point is totally unexpected. What could the viewer expect from a film with a cast with names such as Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine, Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, David Thewlis and Brendan Gleeson other than a great film? Director Brad Anderson returns to the good shape of "The Machinist" with another attractive film. Kate Beckinsale is very beautiful, as usual, and has wonderful performance. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Refúgio do Medo" ("Refuge of the Fear")

star studded cast but lacklustre

[a_lowther · 6/10 · 22 March 2021]

I suppose the twists and Poe got all the talented actors on board but it was slightly boring for what it should've been. Reminded me quite a lot the recent remake of Murder on the Orient Express. Twists are interesting but everything else is just, okay and even sometimes mediocre.

Nice Asylum Romance Film

[mukhdarab · 7/10 · 7 August 2018]

This movie wasn't scary. It had creepy elements in it, but it wasn't a horror film. It's more of a Psychological Mystery and Romance. Unique and even had elements of Shutter Island vibes.