Gothika

Unrated

11/21/20031h 38m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Because someone is dead doesn't mean they're gone. ~

Overview:

After a car crash, criminal psychologist Dr. Miranda Grey regains consciousness only to find that she's a patient in the same mental institution that currently employs her. She's been accused of murdering her husband Dr. Douglas Grey — but she has no memory of committing the crime. As she tries to regain her memory and convince her co-worker, Dr. Pete Graham, of her innocence, a vengeful spirit uses her as an earthly pawn, which further convinces everyone of her guilt.

Director:

Mathieu Kassovitz

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$40,000,000.00

Revenue:

$141,591,324.00

Key words:

rape
insanity
married couple
car crash
paranormal
confusion
murder
psychiatric hospital
memory loss
mental institution
mental patient
mental illness
vengeful ghost
psychotic
female psychiatrist
repressed memory
accused of murder
desperate
urban gothic
pawn
murdered husband
bewildered
surprise-ending
criminal psychologist

Cast

Halle Berry

~ as ~

Miranda Grey

Robert Downey Jr.

~ as ~

Pete Graham

Charles S. Dutton

~ as ~

Douglas Grey

John Carroll Lynch

~ as ~

Sheriff Ryan

Bernard Hill

~ as ~

Phil Parsons

Penélope Cruz

~ as ~

Chloe Sava

Dorian Harewood

~ as ~

Teddy Howard

Bronwen Mantel

~ as ~

Irene

Kathleen Mackey

~ as ~

Rachel Parsons

Matthew G. Taylor

~ as ~

Turlington

View full cast & crew

Reviews (3)

John Chard
Written 9 year(s) ago
6
Time to wash away your sins.

Whilst hardly being a very good horror film, it's not exactly the stinker some would have you believe.

The problems with it are that it becomes overblown, after initially pulsing away as a very moody and atmospherically tight spooker, set to a superbly eerie asylum backdrop, it gets away from itself in the final third. The makers never quite grasp the concept of keeping the mystery aspects of the plot still cloaked in scary tints. Tech credits are dandy, though an impressive cast list are not asked to stretch themselves.

It's not ever overtly frightening and lacks suspense in some key areas, but there's still enough of a creepy vibe here to not waste the time of first time viewers. Repeat viewing prospects, though? Unlikely. 6/10
r96sk
Written 4 year(s) ago
7
Not great, yet enjoyable.

Halle Berry is the star of 'Gothika', but is also joined competently by Robert Downey Jr. and Penélope Cruz; though we don't see much of the latter, unfortunately. The execution of the premise comes out alright, though could've been better of course.

There's also a tonne of screaming, most of it unnecessary. As for scares, I can't say it produces in that regard to be honest. It's mainly just the cast that stick out, but I still like the vibe of the film even if it never had me feeling tense or anything close.

Thankfully they kept it relatively short at just 98 minutes, even just 10-15 additional minutes would've crippled my feelings towards it. As such, it's passable.
Kamurai
Written 4 year(s) ago
7
Really good watch, could watch again, and can recommend.

Halle Berry carries this great Pyschological Thriller of a doctor turned mental patient. This definitely has the production value to support its needs.

They do a great job of calling into question whether or not she's crazy at any given time while still presenting the "other worldly" aspects consistently.

I even think it holds up (currently) 18 years later as there are technological restrictions in place.

Well worth the watch if you like slasher killer detective movies.