The Uninvited (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Drew S

  
  What hurts more to watch: a bad movie, or a below-average adaptation of a great movie? The Uninvited is a cliched piece of PG-13 horror shit from start to finish, with the faintest glimmers of Tale of Two Sisters' strengths peppered in between it all. Perhaps the film's only… More
  What hurts more to watch: a bad movie, or a below-average adaptation of a great movie? The Uninvited is a cliched piece of PG-13 horror shit from start to finish, with the faintest glimmers of Tale of Two Sisters' strengths peppered in between it all. Perhaps the film's only inspired choice was the casting of Emily Browning, who seems to be making her Hollywood bread and butter by playing heroines of total absence. As a broken, withdrawn, vacant shell of a girl, she excels - I'm not sure how much Browning herself is actually contributing to her portrayal, or if we are simply seeing a very boring pretty girl imrpinted on celluloid, but she works out half-decently here. The ending is a mess, especially by the standards of its predecessor's far more intelligent and bitter conclusion, and it more or less wastes the rest of its strong cast. David Straithairn is a phantom; Elizabeth Banks, despite a thankless role and some unforgivably clumsy writing, actually pulls off a performance of some ambiguity here. Surprising work, but only within the frame of a thoroughly awful, unsurprising mess of a movie.

• Emily A

  
  Nothing happened. Then, after a time, nothing continued to happen. This movie is a really really slow build to a fairly novel twist ending. But I found myself sighing, tapping my foot and checking my watch while I was watching this movie, waiting for it to kick in. I really… More
  Nothing happened. Then, after a time, nothing continued to happen. This movie is a really really slow build to a fairly novel twist ending. But I found myself sighing, tapping my foot and checking my watch while I was watching this movie, waiting for it to kick in. I really didn't give a toss about any of the characters in this movie, and I found the stupidity of the main character exasperating. Of course you're going to be dismissed as a crackpot when you say nonsensical things in a hysterical voice. Of course no one is going to know what you're talking about when you say something like "he's here". There were parts I found confusing as well; why were there ghosts coming out of the woodwork simply to scare Anna? Who was that dead, red-headed ten year old snarling whispered threats? None of these are answered by the end, by the way. This movie is like a collection of contemporary horror tropes badly stitched together.

• Dean !

  
  At last a very good suspenseful thriller in a similar mould to What lies beneath, The Number 23, Secret window. I wouldn't put this in the horror category although it has a few jumps along the way. A take on of a Korean film called A tale of two sisters. I really enjoyed this and… More
  At last a very good suspenseful thriller in a similar mould to What lies beneath, The Number 23, Secret window. I wouldn't put this in the horror category although it has a few jumps along the way. A take on of a Korean film called A tale of two sisters. I really enjoyed this and thought it was a well made film with a good cast. It has a nice twist towards the end, although suspicious minds might make it out? Overall a very enjoyable film. If you like this type of thriller go see it soon!

• Carlos M

  
  A rare case of an American remake that is superior in quality to the original one. Here the tension is carefully carried out in a much more concise plot that wisely avoids the numerous twists of Kim Ji-Woon's story and presents a more compelling reason to get scared.

• Tony G

  
  Uninteresting, its one redeeming quality would not be so surprising if "Uninvited" was remotely interesting.

• MisterYoda ?

  
  While many people are just so put off by this film for many reasons, I was very surprised by how it actually turned out. Although the original, "A Tale of Two Sisters", was an epic movie that delivered certain moods and feelings that this movie (and most other films to… More
  While many people are just so put off by this film for many reasons, I was very surprised by how it actually turned out. Although the original, "A Tale of Two Sisters", was an epic movie that delivered certain moods and feelings that this movie (and most other films to date) couldn't quite capture, this film was still just great. One thing to understand was that this movie was completely westernized. Remakes such as "The Grudge" take place in Japan, but the main characters are replaced with an American or European cast, and sometimes the story just doesn't quite fit the way it should with that type of a cast. In this film, the "A Tale of Two Sisters" story is completely translated into an American setting, in the north in a small town. The characters are tweaked a little to accommodate the new setting, and so are some of the scenes and plot lines. This is where many fans of the original get upset and get their panties in a bunch. If this film was truly remade true to the original, it would just be the original film itself being remade 5 years later with the same cast and same script. This film is honestly one of the best Asian-horror remakes that has been made in the past 3 or 4 years if not ever. The cast gives solid performances and there were little or no plot holes. There were actually less plot holes in this film than the original. Of course I liked the original more, but I'm just saying this film executed certain things that the first film didn't, just like the first film executed certain things this film didn't. They are meant to be similar but different, and that is what makes both of them worth seeing.

• Dean M

  
  It shocked me what I saw in the ending - creepy and intense thriller. This is a remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film <i>A Tale of Two Sisters</i> that what I already seen it is a familiar, but very different culture. The cinematography is impressive, and setting is… More
  It shocked me what I saw in the ending - creepy and intense thriller. This is a remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film <i>A Tale of Two Sisters</i> that what I already seen it is a familiar, but very different culture. The cinematography is impressive, and setting is remarkable too, as the entire film unfolds in the confines of a beautiful, large New England home that sits perched on the side of the rocky ocean cliffs, a location that gives plenty of space for creepy action to unfold. And the cast: Emily Browning plays the leading role as the curious and quiet younger sister, playing her role perfectly with the face of an angel. Arielle Kebbel is also good as her older, party-loving (but serious) sister, who aids her in the uncovering of Rachael's past. Rachael herself, the devilish stepmother figure is played by Elizabeth Banks (whom I have seen mainly do comedy work), and manages to be threatening and elusive despite her good looks.

• paul s

  
  As far as the rickety horror genre goes, this one fits right in, and actually rises above most B type films. Not saying that the acting was anything to write home about, or some of the plot points (which only make a certain sense in retrospect - after the big plot twist) not innane… More
  As far as the rickety horror genre goes, this one fits right in, and actually rises above most B type films. Not saying that the acting was anything to write home about, or some of the plot points (which only make a certain sense in retrospect - after the big plot twist) not innane without the clarity that the twist brings). Starting out with the odd beach scene (which I'm sure made many a viewer think of just about every teen slasher film ever made) I felt that I was in very well tred territory thoughout (though the "dreams" aspect made some of the cardboard acting and script tollerable - as if labeling it all "as seen through the eyes of a teenage girl"). There were some nice visual touches along the way, but I simply couldn't really stay invested in the story line, as the "teen" angle just made it seem like another weak B film attempt at something grander - not shocking enough to be a "thriller", and certainly not chilling enough to be a horror film (although the early scene with the dead mother coming into the heroine's room was indeed creepy). That this film only makes a certain sense after the surprise twist ending does not let you forgive that before the twist you were convinced that you were watching a by-the-numbers mediocre thriller.

• Arash X

  
  A tale of two friggin' annoying sisters, Never liked the original but at least it had a good cast & tolerable characters, Browning & Kebbel are annoying and simply can't act

• Dead A

  
  Loved it.

• Film C

  
  I shockingly enjoyed this movie thoroughly! Its interesting and thrilling and reallty jumpy in places! The storyline is brilliant and has the best ending ive seen in a long time! Really actually worth a watch! This girl has seen her mother die in this fire explosion and ends up in… More
  I shockingly enjoyed this movie thoroughly! Its interesting and thrilling and reallty jumpy in places! The storyline is brilliant and has the best ending ive seen in a long time! Really actually worth a watch! This girl has seen her mother die in this fire explosion and ends up in a mental institute but she eventually is realised but when she comes home shes greeted by her dads younger girlfriend and nots not good shes convinced Banks murdered her mother! but not everything is what it seems!! Really good and worth a wartch!

• Jani H

  
  "Don't go home." Yet another US remake of an asian horror film. Haven't seen the original so it's impossible to compare the end results of the two films. But having seen a lot of horror remakes, I've never seen a US remake getting better than the… More
  "Don't go home." Yet another US remake of an asian horror film. Haven't seen the original so it's impossible to compare the end results of the two films. But having seen a lot of horror remakes, I've never seen a US remake getting better than the original... I'm not gonna get into the story that much cuz everyone can read it from the synopsis. But what I will say is that the films horror elements are pretty confusing. Most of these generic US horror films concentrate on the use of disfigured, oddly moving "people" and sudden noise effects but never manage to fit them well into the movie. In 'The Uninvited' the use of these elements feel kinda pointless. The film could've worked better if it would've resembled more of 'The Sixth Sense' or 'The Others'. Another issue is that the film is way too slow paced, eventhough the films length is only ca 90 minutes. You say 'The Sixth Sense' and 'The Others' are slow also? Maybe so, but their stories are far more intriguing than this one here... "I love you... I have a condom." I have to say one thing about the dialogue... The films first lines are copied above. After these words being said, I knew that I could lay back and enjoy another lame teen horror film. And what's with the guy who said these magicful lines? You need at least two condoms if you're about to "get in the game".... Stupid. 'The Uninvited' was an ok experience that gave me nothing but didn't take away either. The acting was pretty decent, Strathairn gave some instant credibility to the film, but the film was so weak in overall. Nothing new to give me so why bother give it stars that it doesn't deserve?

• Bruce B

  
  I didn't expect to much from this movie, as the few people I know that watched it really didn't like it. Now my question is what's wrong with the people I know. This was a awesome movie, not so much as in it being a horror film because it wasn't really scary at… More
  I didn't expect to much from this movie, as the few people I know that watched it really didn't like it. Now my question is what's wrong with the people I know. This was a awesome movie, not so much as in it being a horror film because it wasn't really scary at all, I enjoyed it because of the unexpected twist at the end. Most movies I can figure out, but this one really threw me. I will not give it away here, all I can say is watch it, you to might be blown away. Hat's off to the actors and Directors. 4 1/2 stars.

• Dean L

  
  I was quite ready to give this film terrible reviews, but alas, I cannot. I say that because horrible reviews and great reviews are far more fun to write than "decent" reviews. This is an American 'reimagining' of the amazing Korean film "A Tale Of Two… More
  I was quite ready to give this film terrible reviews, but alas, I cannot. I say that because horrible reviews and great reviews are far more fun to write than "decent" reviews. This is an American 'reimagining' of the amazing Korean film "A Tale Of Two Sisters." It hits the source material, but having seen the original I really see these films as separate. Emily Browning has the haunting eyes that draw you in and Arielle Kebbel plays her sister so well that you can feel the bond. Elizabeth Banks is simply fantastic in her role. She teeters amazingly on the precipice built for our knee-jerk response with question in hand. You may think you know where this film is going (and do if you have seen the original), but in all probability you will find yourself surprised. There are a couple of moments that had me start and that felt good. Even if there are parts of the movie not to be liked I challenge the moviegoer not to appreciate the ending. It is quite satisfying which again...I found surprising as I fully anticipated truly disliking this film. I didn't. It is much better than the vast majority of its PG-13, diluted horror counterparts and while not a classic I still recommend a watch. Enjoy.

• Megan S

  
  I actually liked this movie. As usual, I get myself all worked up and think that a movie is going to be way more scary than it actually is. I definitely didn't see the ending coming and was actually getting mad and thinking that it was going to be another one of those scary… More
  I actually liked this movie. As usual, I get myself all worked up and think that a movie is going to be way more scary than it actually is. I definitely didn't see the ending coming and was actually getting mad and thinking that it was going to be another one of those scary movies that I hate.

• Derek D

  
  Did Buena Vista do this? It's obviously a Disney horror flick aimed at their core audience: teens either too young to remember true horror films or those that don't seem interested in anything other than what might eventually be shown after 10 pm on Disney Channel. It's… More
  Did Buena Vista do this? It's obviously a Disney horror flick aimed at their core audience: teens either too young to remember true horror films or those that don't seem interested in anything other than what might eventually be shown after 10 pm on Disney Channel. It's not great, but the further along this gets the better it turns out to be. Bonus points for David Strathairn being in this. He's an acting deity.

• Mark H

  
  Young Anna is tormented by her father's romantic relationship with Rachel Summers, the former nurse of her deceased mother. Did Rachel kill her mother? Is Rachel trying to kill her? American remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film <I>A Tale of Two Sisters</I>… More
  Young Anna is tormented by her father's romantic relationship with Rachel Summers, the former nurse of her deceased mother. Did Rachel kill her mother? Is Rachel trying to kill her? American remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film <I>A Tale of Two Sisters</I> is only a middling success at best. The problem: the script doesn't play fair with the audience, tacking on a "twist" ending that doesn't jive with the rest of the film. Of note are the performances of its two lead actresses: Emily Browning and Elizabeth Banks. They almost save the film...almost.

• Morgan S

  
  I was pleasently surprised with this movie ***SPOILER*** the whole time I was completely convinced it WAS the evil house keep and I was wrong! good twist at the end...really not that bad!

• A.D. V

  
  The Unimaginative. The Unnecessary. The Unlikeable. Hell I can go all day with this. Elizabeth Banks is a plus (as usual) but otherwise (blows raspberry).

• Khris N

  
  I could see where this was going... girl witnesses mum's death, goes to mental hospital. Does she really expect to get any better?? Especially when she has communications with the other nutters in the place?? Not really. Anyways, the Dad has moved on with a younger woman… More
  I could see where this was going... girl witnesses mum's death, goes to mental hospital. Does she really expect to get any better?? Especially when she has communications with the other nutters in the place?? Not really. Anyways, the Dad has moved on with a younger woman (typical) whom she and her older sister hates and soon they begin to suspect that she's not who she seems. Boring, a little try hard, though the older sister is VERY easy on the eye, and of course smexy Elizabeth Banks as the "Uninvited", its predicatable, and I just think that the movie was chucking in a few good looking girls for atypical horror thriller for girls to get scared of and guys to fantazise about the cast. Truth be told, why do you think they cast pretty women in horror thrills and throw in cheap sexual themes?? Move right along.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings