Indie Film Spotlight: "Stoker" - Starring Matthew Goode and Mia Wasikowska

Photo Credit: Fox Searchlight

Family secrets permeate director Park Chan-wook's latest film Stoker. The characters speak in hushed tones so that eavesdroppers cannot hear the horrors that pass through their lips. The secrets include mental illness, the propensity to kill, incestuous attraction and sexual awakening through an unusual fetish. No, Stoker is not for a mainstream audience, but it takes chances that most films would never even attempt and that makes it unique. 

The story centers around the death of Richard Stoker (Dermot Mulroney) in an alleged automobile accident. During his funeral, Richard's brother, Charlie (Matthew Goode), who has allegedly been traveling the world for many years, makes an unexpected appearance. Charlie soon takes up with Richard's wife, Evelyn (Nicole Kidman), and a bizarre romance develops between them. In addition, Charlie also has his eye on Richard and Evelyn daughter, India (Mia Wasikowska). India is afraid of Charlie and does everything in her power to avoid him, but there is an unmistakable attraction and connection between them. 

India has good reason to fear Charlie, as two characters who challenge him soon disappear. However, India may actually see a family resemblance in Charlie that frightens her and soon emerges after being verbally abused by a classmate, Chris Pitts (Lucas Till), who she ends up stabbing in the hand with a pencil. Later, another classmate, Whip Taylor (Alden Ehrenreich), begins to romance India, who promptly bites his tongue, resulting in a lot of blood and more than one surprising twist in this foreboding tale. Indeed, Charlie and India are more alike than she would like to admit and they grow closer until the truth about where Charlie has been all of these years comes forth. The aftermath will change their lives forever. 

Stoker is populated with unlikable characters, but the ensemble cast deliver solid performances that will hold the attention of viewers, even through the mostly hushed dialogue that makes it difficult to sometimes hear what they are saying. However, the images and sounds tell the story here, from the facial expressions of the characters to the suspenseful music, by Clint Mansell, that can be heard throughout. Director Chan-wook creates a sense of unease that may leave some viewers squirming in their seats and wanting to look away, but finding themselves being unable to do so. While I did not expect a happy ending for any of these characters, I was surprised that the film's ominous tone became even darker as the story played out, right up until the conclusion. Indeed, Stoker is not a film for the faint of heart and can be best appreciated by not passing judgement on the characters, who are all in need of some sort of help in this twist filled thriller that will surely leave an impression, for better or for worse. 

Screenplay: Wentworth Miller