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The Skeleton Key

Play trailer Poster for The Skeleton Key PG-13 2005 1h 44m Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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38% Tomatometer 157 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson), a good-natured nurse living in New Orleans, quits her job at a hospice to work for Violet Devereaux (Gena Rowlands), an elderly woman whose husband, Ben (John Hurt), is in poor health following a stroke. When Caroline begins to explore the couple's rundown Bayou mansion, she discovers strange artifacts and learns the house has a mysterious past. As she continues to investigate, she realizes that Violet is keeping a sinister secret about the cause of Ben's illness.
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The Skeleton Key

The Skeleton Key

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Critics Consensus

Thanks to its creaky and formulaic script, The Skeleton Key is more mumbo-jumbo than hoodoo and more dull than scary.

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Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 08/26/2005
C
A blundering New Orleans-set thriller under the spell of archaic stereotypes about Southern Bayou blacks. Go to Full Review
Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com 08/20/2005
2/4
Blame screenwriter Ehren Kruger (Arlington Road). I can't tell if this hit-and-miss scribe is a remarkably talented guy who's unfortunately had a few misfires or if his few good scripts were just the result of a large amount of blind luck. Go to Full Review
Richard Roeper Ebert & Roeper 08/15/2005
This is a moody, creepy thriller with some genuinely scary moments and a couple of twists that took me completely by surprise. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast Nov 20
3.5/5
It's not a great film, but it is a highly enjoyable one, particularly when Hudson and Rowlands go at each other. The twisty climax is genuinely difficult to predict on a first time watch, even if the film's racial implication are dicey Go to Full Review
Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Nov 17
3/5
The Skeleton Key hasn't aged as poorly as one might think, given the racial politics at play, and it's worth a watch for Gena Rowlands' sinister performance alone. Go to Full Review
Brooke Obie Black Girl Watching Oct 28
The worst horror movie I’ve ever seen. Kate Hudson, you are going to jail! Ehren Kruger won a Razzie for Worst Screenplay for the wrong movie. The Skeleton Key is so devious and underhanded in its anti-Blackness and it should haunt Kruger forever. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Dec 11 The Skeleton Key is an atmospheric supernatural thriller that, while imperfect, still manages to be entertaining and engaging. The screenplay has moments that feel uneven or misplaced, occasionally pulling you out of the story, but the film’s eerie tone keeps it afloat. Kate Hudson delivers a strong, committed performance that brings fear, curiosity, and emotional depth to her character, making her the anchor of the entire film. The supporting cast enhances the unsettling environment through subtle tension and careful delivery. The director ties the visual style and pacing together well, creating a moody Southern Gothic setting that becomes one of the film’s strongest elements. Even though the script could benefit from tighter structure, the film offers enough suspense, mystery, and atmosphere to keep viewers invested. It’s not flawless, but it’s a spooky and enjoyable watch worth checking out for fans of supernatural thrillers. See more Stacey K Nov 12 The movie is okay. I remember when I first saw it I thought it was alright, the acting is good, the concept is good but it felt a little hollow. It felt like the parts of the movie were there just to make it something but it still felt hollow. As I get older though I STILL think of this movie as it is one of the only movies that addresses magic and it's belief in it as a negative. Most movies have magic saves the day, magic sets you free. In this one, magic is a trap you create for yourself. I was thinking of it in reference to the natives selling all their land for a dollar, and at first they didn't believe but they were convinced and it trapped them. It was just a piece of paper. So, it would have been a 2 or 3 but now I think it's 4. See more Chase G. @gundchase Oct 30 The low ratings for this one is perplexing. Very atmospheric. Solid acting. And one of the best twist endings out there! See more Jo P @JoParkerBear Oct 24 Is this a great horror movie? Absolutely not lol. But it is really creepy and the great performances make it very watchable. I’ve gone back to it a few times over the years. See more William @Will1 Oct 19 I can’t believe this movie has such a low rating. We really enjoy it. It’s more clever with a real story and a spooky ghost story vibe versus just some slasher film. The story and characters are great and Gina Rowlands really steals the film. Love Kate Hudson in this its a film we revisit often especially around Halloween. See more Rider W. @Rider_99 Oct 13 Loved the movie! Worth watch. See more Read all reviews
The Skeleton Key

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The Skeleton Key

The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - It Doesn't Work If You Don't Believe The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - It Doesn't Work If You Don't Believe 2:02 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Ghost in the Mirror The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Ghost in the Mirror 1:41 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Get Me Out of Here! The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Get Me Out of Here! 2:47 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Crawling Away The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Crawling Away 2:47 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - The Body Stealers The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - The Body Stealers 2:15 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Chased by Conjurers The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Chased by Conjurers 2:18 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Performing the Ritual The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Performing the Ritual 1:47 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Dark Magic History The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Dark Magic History 3:20 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Escaping the House The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Escaping the House 3:30 The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Hoodoo Attic The Skeleton Key: Official Clip - Hoodoo Attic 2:52 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson), a good-natured nurse living in New Orleans, quits her job at a hospice to work for Violet Devereaux (Gena Rowlands), an elderly woman whose husband, Ben (John Hurt), is in poor health following a stroke. When Caroline begins to explore the couple's rundown Bayou mansion, she discovers strange artifacts and learns the house has a mysterious past. As she continues to investigate, she realizes that Violet is keeping a sinister secret about the cause of Ben's illness.
Director
Iain Softley
Producer
Daniel Bobker, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter
Ehren Kruger
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Double Feature Films
Rating
PG-13 (Some Partial Nudity|Disturbing Images|Thematic Material|Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 12, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$47.8M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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