South Korean director Chan-wook Park is not exactly known for upbeat movie fare. In fact, he is responsible for bringing us some of the darkest, most disturbing films (Oldboy, Lady Vengeance) in recent memory. He continues that direction with Stoker, his English language debut. In keeping with his previous work, Stokeris moody, stylistic, and yes, disturbing.
The movie revolves around the dysfunctional Stoker clan following the shocking death of patriarch Richard (Dermot Mulroney) in a fiery car crash. Daughter India (Mia Wasikowska) is sullen and withdrawn, and can hardly contain her disdain for her flighty mom Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) who doesn’t behave like a woman mourning the loss of her husband. In the days following the funeral, Patrick’s estranged brother Charles (Matthew Goode) descends on the household, and immediately upends the family’s tenuous grasp on stability. India wasn’t even aware she had an uncle, a fact that festers up even more resentment toward her mom.
Charles is mysterious and creepy, always lurking the grounds with a slightly bemused (and inappropriate) grin. Evelyn is immediately drawn to Charles, perhaps in a misguided attempt to quickly move on from her husband’s death. India is intrigued for a different reason altogether; she senses that Charles has a dark side and finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. Charles feeds off India’s curiosity, and slowly lays her privy to some of his evil inclinations, which appear to dredge up some dormant urges in India. As the weeks go by, Charles pits the two women against each other as they vie for his attention, which ultimately results in a brutal confrontation.
flashbacks to give us glimpses into India’s childhood, consisting of frequent hunting trips with her late father and a bizarre collection of saddle shoes (she gets a pair every year for her birthday). Stoker features dark interiors, quirky characters, minimalist dialogue and the color red to create the rich style. This is complemented by the work of composer Philip Glass, who created several piano pieces for the film.
The film is impeccably cast. Wasikowska is impressive as a non-emotive teenager containing an inner rage bubbling to the surface, and Kidman is well-suited as the clingy widow. However, this is Goode’s film. He is absolutely perfect as the handsome, charismatic relative who wreaks havoc on the strange family. Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook) also plays a small role in the film.
Stoker was primarily scribed by actor Wentworth Miller (Prison Break), and it borrows heavily from a certain cable television show that shall remain nameless, so it’s not entirely original. However, from the opening credits to the bookend final credits, Wook-Park has created a sumptuous visual film noir that will please true art house fans. – Shannon
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