The Skeleton Key (DVD, 2005, Widescreen)

I don't see how so many people have overlooked this little gem... possibly the lack of American Raw Nasty booties shaking in your face has somehow elevated this one into the well produced catagory. The story foces on a New Orleans hospice worker Caroline (Kate Hudson) who answers a help wanted ad she finds herself working as the live-in caretaker of Ben Devereaux (John Hurt), a stroke victim who has lost his ability to speak. Ben's wife, Violet (Gena Rowlands), live in a world of houdou (not voodoo). It is well acted well written and takes you into the heart of magic in a idfferent way. One hollweird has yet to do and redo copying from one and other as they so often do. The Skeleton Key is suspenseful, scary and intelligent in some ways compared to the Scream movies which are so over rediculous.

A young woman helping care for an invalid in New Orleans finds herself caught in the middle of morbid going-ons centered around a group of Hoodoo (Not Voodoo, it's of a different culture. Voodoo is Haitian while Hoodoo is an old African American magic that just like Voodoo only works if you believe in it.)

Caroline (Kate Hudson) is a twenty-five-year-old hospice worker who cares for the ailing and the elderly, a job designed to atone for her own mistake for ignoring her dying father in the past, when she had been a rock 'n' roll manager. After her latest charge passes away, Caroline takes a job in Louisiana, caring for Ben (John Hurt), a stroke-victim who is bed-ridden and cannot speak. But Caroline becomes suspicious of the house, and Ben's cold wife, Violet (Gena Rowlands) only adds to the creepy atmosphere. After acquiring a skeleton key, Caroline makes her way into a secret room within the attic where she discovers hair, blood, bones, spells, and other instruments for practicing hoodoo. Violet says she has never been in the secret room, but that the items probably belonged to the original owners' two houseworkers, who practiced black magic and were lynched as a result. Noting that Ben had his stroke in the attic after entering the room, Caroline is determined to unlock the secrets of the house, and rescue Ben from the horrors that hold him captive within.

This is a Great Movie. Keeps you on the edge of your seat..Loved it...
{Mrs puman}

The Skeleton Key starring Kate Hudson was a much better movie than I expected. Many recently released Horror/Suspense movies are completely void of any real scary moments, purely relying on visual shock value and/or gore. I expected this to be just the same - but it wasn't! It was a pretty good movie with some genuine scary moments, and just when you think you know who the villian is - you're wrong. Its doesn't have a campy ending either, it leaves you putting the pieces of the puzzle back together to see how it got there. It is rated PG-13, but contains violence, disturbing images, and it says that it contains partial nudity - but it really doesn't. Actually, there is nothing objectionable about the film. It was a good flick and you can't go wrong with picking it up on ebay for the cheap! Enjoy!

I found the movie to be excellent...I was un-aware at the time of purchase of the existence of " HOODOO " albeit well known to residents of certain areas of the southern states...The HOODOO knowledge consists of folk magic of African, Native American, & European origins..The story line is about two users of this medium who employ its techniques to place their spirits in the young and vibrant bodies of their victims; while, the victims spirit is transferred into their old & withering bodies....The process is not life eternal; However, it lets one escape death by stealing the years their victims had left....The story is set in New Orleans; and features the sights & sounds the area is famous for..The majority of the film is set on the location of an old plantation house with a history of strange occurrences...Once home to an African Congure-man with the Archetype name of "PAPA JUSTIFY" & his spiritually powerful wife.. The couple are murdered; and the rest you need to experience for yourself! Remember, HOODOO teaches that everything has a spirit dwelling inside...This movie has a good spirit dwelling there...You'LL be entertained & learn a few new things...I hope you will enjoy this movie as much as I did...The actors & their roleplaying are noteworthy....One not to be missed....FINIS...

If you're expecting see a horror movie, you may be disappointed. Skeleton Key is a spooky thriller as "Sixth Sense" & "The Others" was...although Sixth Sense did have a few gory moments and this one doesn't. The film drags a little at the beginning and you probably won't get into it until 40 minutes have gone by but the ending has enough of a twist to keep you satisfied. Gena Rowlands does a great job as does the rest of the cast. The soundtrack isn't scary and few more sound effects would've filled in the holes where you thought you were going to jump. You could watch this movie alone without being afraid of going to bed alone afterwards....overall, its an average creepy film which is worth a look!