The Skeleton Key

The Skeleton Key (2005)

  • 37% of critics liked it
    (147 reviews)

  • 63% of users liked it
    (173,026 ratings)

A young woman discovers a terrible secret while caring for an elderly man in this supernatural thriller. Caroline (Kate Hudson) is a care provider for the aged who is hired away from the hospice where she works by Violet Devereaux (Gena Rowlands). Violet needs someone to help take care of her… More

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PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By
Iain Softley
Written By
Ehren Kruger
Genres
Mystery & Suspense, Drama
In Theaters
Aug 12, 2005 Wide
On DVD
Nov 15, 2005
Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

    This is a moody, creepy thriller with some genuinely scary moments and a couple of twists that took me completely by surprise.

  • Jen Chaney, Washington Post

    The Skeleton Key delivers on all formulaic counts, except one: It never serves up any truly nightmare-inspiring scares.

  • Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

    A diverting, stylish thriller that, despite pivoting on that and other whoppers, deserves credit for creating an authentic, original vibe.

  • , USA Today

    This is essentially a haunted-house horror flick that starts off with effectively eerie scenes but devolves into a forced and mildly ridiculous ghost story.

  • Peter Howell, Toronto Star

    Criminal waste of talent.

Read all 14 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • John M


    Creepy movie with some nice twists.

  • Alexander D


    A great, superior horror flick. [FULL REVIEW: COMING SOON.]

  • Melvin W


    Violet Devereaux: We've been waiting for you, Caroline.  "You Will Believe" The Skeleton Key is a pretty creepy and completely atmospheric supernatural thriller. I wouldn't say it is all that scary, but it definitely has it's moments. One thing it always is… More

  • Steven C


    "The Skeleton Key" is certainly goofy and the various filters and morphing effects used to create 'creepy' images add a high level of camp, but the story itself is so interesting it helps pull the film through. The Hoodoo storyline is fun and the ending is suitably… More

  • Anthony L


    Iain Softley did well to get such a good cast for The Skeleton Key but quite frankly Gena Rowlands, John Hurt and even Peter Sarsgaard are better than this. Although that's not quite fair of me to say, as I'm always saying that if you want to make a good horror film you need… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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