Gothika (2003)

Featured Audience Ratings

• moon r

  
  Halle Berry and Robert Downing Jr. do well in this moody and atmospheric mystery drama with supernatural overtones as a psych doctor, steeped in logical thinking, questions her belief system (and her sanity!!) when she starts seeing ghosts.

• William D

  
  "Gothika" is a well-made ghost story. It doesn't advance the horror art form in any way. But as a traditional ghost story, it's quite effective. I am completely mystified by the critical drubbing it received when it came out. My only explanation is that Halle Berry… More
  "Gothika" is a well-made ghost story. It doesn't advance the horror art form in any way. But as a traditional ghost story, it's quite effective. I am completely mystified by the critical drubbing it received when it came out. My only explanation is that Halle Berry seems to have been the victim of a backlash from both critics and audiences after winning her well-deserved Oscar about a year before "Gothika" came out. Berry here stars as a psychiatrist who becomes a patient in the hospital where she works after she starts seeing ghosts and then commits a gruesome crime. The story is fairly simple, but it gains some complexity by way of a minor character played spectacularly well by Penelope Cruz. Gradually the disparate threads in the story get woven together nicely. Robert Downey, Jr. also has a nice small bit as one of the psychiatrists with whom Berry works. All in all, a good old-fashioned ghost story that makes for an entertaining DVD night.

• Lady D

  
  A film that isn't highly rated by most, but remains to be one of my favourites and most re-watched films that I own, possibly because it ticks a lot of boxes for me, such as the question of sanity, the setting of a psychiatric hospital, a supernatural element, along with a murder… More
  A film that isn't highly rated by most, but remains to be one of my favourites and most re-watched films that I own, possibly because it ticks a lot of boxes for me, such as the question of sanity, the setting of a psychiatric hospital, a supernatural element, along with a murder mystery. Gothika has the dark creepy atmosphere, which is maintained throughout the film and a storyline which urges you to feel the frustration of the main characters, played by Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz. Admittedly it has it?s clichéd moments and it?s not without predictability, but it?s certainly worth watching (in my opinion) if you enjoy supernatural Thrillers. 'Behind Blue Eyes' became one of my favourite songs after watching this film.

• Justin Y

  
  <i>Gothika</i>, by Matthieu Kassovitz</i>, is a psychological thriller that grips from time to time.</p><p>At just over 90 minutes, this picture does take its time to reach the conclusion; however, it isn't entirely due to boredom. The plot does… More
  <i>Gothika</i>, by Matthieu Kassovitz</i>, is a psychological thriller that grips from time to time.</p><p>At just over 90 minutes, this picture does take its time to reach the conclusion; however, it isn't entirely due to boredom. The plot does work much better as a thriller than a straight up horror, and in doing so it takes its time and gradually unveils the pieces of the puzzle. That isn't to say that this a masterpiece because there are moments where the line between reality and hallucination is cloudy. It is also quite predictable at certain moments.</p><p>There is very little in the way of spooks, but this isn't a problem because the continuous suspense level and dark atmosphere make up for it, especially in the second half. Remember, thriller not horror.</p><p>The acting for the main characters is an asset. Halle Berry is more than capable of putting a film on her shoulders and she has no problem in doing so here. Robert Downey Jr. and Penelope Cruz also put up good supporting performances.</p><p>Overall, <i>Gothika</i> has enough to place itself in the middle of the pack of thrillers.</p>

• Jeff "

  
  Gothika is another film from Dark Castle Entertainment, the infamous studio that releases lame horror films. Aside from Gothika, Orphan, The Hills Run Red, Ghost Ship and The Reaping, their Horror catalogue is less than impressive. Even a few titles I mentioned aren't that great… More
  Gothika is another film from Dark Castle Entertainment, the infamous studio that releases lame horror films. Aside from Gothika, Orphan, The Hills Run Red, Ghost Ship and The Reaping, their Horror catalogue is less than impressive. Even a few titles I mentioned aren't that great either. However, with Gothika, they probably made their best and most original horror film along with Orphan and The Hills Run Red. Gothika relies on atmosphere to built it's horror, it's not down right scary, but the film does have a creepy vibe to it. Halle Berry and Robert Downey Jr. are amazing to watch on screen and its their on screen chemistry that makes the film much more worthwhile. I don't understand why this film has gotten so many bad reviews, it seems that this film does something that many Horror films of this decade refuse to do, and thats taking a risk. And as far as taking a risk goes, Gothika is a great accomplishment in my book. The film really is fresh new take on horror and is very enjoyable.

• Dead A

  
  Scary!

• Film C

  
  its weird and a bit boring though its does contain some jumpy parts and good ending but apart from that its disappointing

• Sanjaya &

  
  Well, it's not a bad movie.... At least Halle Berry put on some good performance in this movie... Her acts was pretty good as a crazy woman who turns into a killer... The story really thrills me, really... And the ending who did this was very unpredictable... I can't predict… More
  Well, it's not a bad movie.... At least Halle Berry put on some good performance in this movie... Her acts was pretty good as a crazy woman who turns into a killer... The story really thrills me, really... And the ending who did this was very unpredictable... I can't predict it because there was not so much clue for who is doing this.... A pretty good movie anyway...

• Stephen M

  
  "Logic is overrated!" Presumably the mantra of the Hollywood screenwriter. This is a 'wrong (wo)man' thriller with a fashionably supernatural twist. Shot in cold, institutional blues, it's drab to look at, dull to watch and, most unforgivable of all, pretty… More
  "Logic is overrated!" Presumably the mantra of the Hollywood screenwriter. This is a 'wrong (wo)man' thriller with a fashionably supernatural twist. Shot in cold, institutional blues, it's drab to look at, dull to watch and, most unforgivable of all, pretty predictably plotted. Remarkable only in that the usually excellent Bernard Hill gives a poor performance.

• Dean L

  
  OH Come On! This was not frightening save for the fact that it made it to the screen. The script was utter cr@p. Spooky lighting, slit wrists, odd camera angles and the obligatiry still motion shots of a little girl make for a tedious and disheartening watch.

• Emily A

  
  This movie is actually pretty good. That's not to say that there aren't WAY better ghost story movies out there, but this one stands up pretty well against them. The story unfolds like some sort of people-driven maze. Even if you figure out the ending, it's still an… More
  This movie is actually pretty good. That's not to say that there aren't WAY better ghost story movies out there, but this one stands up pretty well against them. The story unfolds like some sort of people-driven maze. Even if you figure out the ending, it's still an interesting film to watch. And it retains its scares upon later screenings, which is more than can be said for a lot of the horror schlock out there.

• Lewis C

  
  Semi-interesting, but not even slightly scary.

• Lafe F

  
  Gothika is too grand of a title for this smaller story. Maybe "Ghost in the Mind", "The Haunting of Halle", "Crashed Reality", "Locked Secrets", etc. The cyan tone of this film creates a sense of dread. It's nice seeing Halle, but no fun… More
  Gothika is too grand of a title for this smaller story. Maybe "Ghost in the Mind", "The Haunting of Halle", "Crashed Reality", "Locked Secrets", etc. The cyan tone of this film creates a sense of dread. It's nice seeing Halle, but no fun having her locked up and tormented by ghosts.

• Dean !

  
  Slammed by critics and who knows why? A good thriller with a neat twist.

• Aliyanto L

  
  Does ghost really need our help to help them in truth disclosure?

• Cassandra M

  
  Hmmm

• Michael S

  
  So predictable.

• Drew S

  
  The plot feels entirely too coincidental and the movie is lethargic at best. There's very little energy - it's missing from the performances, the cinematography, and the scares.

• Jens S

  
  Starting out rather atmospheric and with a decent main idea, this horror film quickly loses its way. While it comes up with a few scares, it's never really exciting and shows plenty of plotholes. The solution is hardly a real shock and the showdown is pretty silly. Oh well, at… More
  Starting out rather atmospheric and with a decent main idea, this horror film quickly loses its way. While it comes up with a few scares, it's never really exciting and shows plenty of plotholes. The solution is hardly a real shock and the showdown is pretty silly. Oh well, at least it wasn't boring.

• Dean M

  
  Amazing insanely creepy.

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