Secret Window

My Network TV | Release Date: March 12, 2004

5.3	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 149 Ratings

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LeZeeDec 14, 2016

A successful writer who accused of plagiarism.

It was based on the novel, though the original title makes more sense than this film. Maybe they wanted to avert the spoiler. But I don't think it would have affected much, because the twistA successful writer who accused of plagiarism.

It was based on the novel, though the original title makes more sense than this film. Maybe they wanted to avert the spoiler. But I don't think it would have affected much, because the twist comes at the final segment. The tale of a writer who is in the middle of divorce and now living alone is the lake house got threatened by a stranger, because according to him he stole his story. Followed by many unpleasant events, how he gets out of the trouble told in the next half.

Feels just an okay kind. Though Johnny Depp was good. The suspense was good, particularly in the first half, but later it comes falling down. The second half was average, the twist was not interesting enough. After some point, you might predict it, but the point is it was too familiar. I especially did not like the finale, it was like not in detail. Still a watchable film, because of the actor and for decently made. So I think worth a watch if you keep a low expectation.

6/10… Expand

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BigZNov 5, 2014

If you can be patient with this movie and its snail-like progress, this does turn into something quite creepy and chilling. It isn't a jumpy slasher like most of the other popular horror movies, while not outside the talents of Stephen King,If you can be patient with this movie and its snail-like progress, this does turn into something quite creepy and chilling. It isn't a jumpy slasher like most of the other popular horror movies, while not outside the talents of Stephen King, this one took a much more psychological turn. I mean again if you can just be quiet and pay attention while this movie builds, it starts to get scary. Especially if you can consider the idea of this actually happening to YOU. That being said I did think the alternate ending (found on dvd) proved more appropriate for the actual state of mind Mort was in. This did fall heavily on Johnny Depp who can definitely hold his own, but he may have been a slight bit too quirky, a minor problem. Overall it is a tough thing to make a good novella into a movie while staying relatively true to one another. I feel they did that, but it does move slow and the end, while horrifying, doesn't drop the jaw and feel worth the wait. It is one of my favorites though, nonetheless. Approach it openly and it may surprise you, but be critical out the gate and i don't figure you'll be all that impressed. Worth at least one watch.… Expand

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juliankennedy23Oct 26, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Secret Window: 5 out of 10: I am not going to critique Johnny Depp. He is fine in this movie. And I certainly do not want the great wrath of woman, of various ages, down upon my head. Johnny Depp is a thespian God. He can do no wrong. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory never existed... (God he was awful in that.) Depp’s performance is the most entertaining thing is Secret Window. In fact with the exception of a wonderfully drawn Timothy Hutton in a supporting role, it is the only entertaining thing in the movie. The small cast is rounded out by Maria Bello (A 41 year old butterface that plays Depp’s, cuckolding, **** soon to be ex-wife) and the usually dependable John Turturro who is a disaster.

This is a Stephen King adaption about a writer going over the edge. (If you saw the Dark Half which also starred Timothy Hutton this will definitely feel like familiar ground). The plot is a familiar train wreck. Depp is a writer going through a nasty divorce and suffering from writers block. There is a knock at the door and Turturro is at the door. With a southern drawl and an Amish tailor Turturro claims that Depp stole his story and has to make it right.

Ah plagiarism, that old plot twist standby which many a great horror novel is based on. (Or maybe not). Turtorro’s character quickly becomes a nasty bit of work as he kills Depp’s beloved dog with a screwdriver. (This isn’t really a plot spoiler. This is a Steven King adaptation, there are no kids in it to kill and the beloved dog might as well have been dressed in a metaphorical red shirt from the first scene.) This is where the movie officially lost me. Turturro is about as threatening as a Joe Pesci romantic comedy and if his character (named Shooter) killed one of my family members the next time he entered my property he would be renamed shot.

But the movie cannot let Depp kill Shooter... cause of a super secret plot twist so lame and so obvious that it’s no wonder plagiarism was at the forefront of the writer’s mind. To add insult to injury the movie actually feels it needs to drop hints at this shocking plot twist apparently under the assumption a portion of the audience sniffs glue for a living and didn’t figure it out within 10 minutes of the opening credits.

The only real surprise in the entire film is the strange Children of the Corn references (Turtorro’s character seems to be clearly channeling Malachi and the last scene is torn right from that mid-eighties classic.) Perhaps the film is meant to be homage to the fine Children of the Corn series... No greater faint praise could I imagine damning with.… Expand

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WJSJul 25, 2015

Johnny Depp is effective in this adaptation of a lesser known Stephen King story, but unfortunately the whole thing comes off as nothing more than a fancy made for cable thriller. It has a big budget cast with a low budget look and attitude.Johnny Depp is effective in this adaptation of a lesser known Stephen King story, but unfortunately the whole thing comes off as nothing more than a fancy made for cable thriller. It has a big budget cast with a low budget look and attitude. The writing is at times laboured and the direction somewhat pedestrian. Not one of the better King adaptations to film, but, then they're hard to come by.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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raciocinioOct 21, 2015

Why johnny depp just made bad movies he's is a great actor but this movies are a **** Secret Window is one of his boring,without action...and without life souless boring so boring i yet say boring????

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eva3si0nApr 6, 2020

A mediocre film in which only Johnny Depp stands out. The plot is simple and predictable, which causes all tension to be lost. The ending is also obvious. One time you can see, no more.

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geewahMar 30, 2021

Quite simply there is not enough of a story to stretch it out to a full length feature. It's why it's source material was a short story (and a good one) and nothing more.

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JayH.Jan 4, 2009

The film starts out great, but as it progresses it loses steam. It becomes predictable and I found the ending a let down. Still, it has it's moments and Johnny Depp is great as always.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SpangleJan 17, 2017

Secret Window is a run-of-the-mill psychological thriller with solid performances from a capable past, namely a neurotic and paranoid Johnny Depp and creepy Southern John Turturro. While its tricks that it has up its sleeves are hardlySecret Window is a run-of-the-mill psychological thriller with solid performances from a capable past, namely a neurotic and paranoid Johnny Depp and creepy Southern John Turturro. While its tricks that it has up its sleeves are hardly noteworthy, the performances are rock solid and the film is capably directed by David Koepp. While it is hardly a must-watch, it is one that can be watched and you can rest assured it will be solidly entertaining. That said, do not expect too much, as it is pretty familiar when it comes to psychological thrillers and its adherence to the cliches. Having not read the source material, it also feels oddly similar to King's novel The Dark Half, which I have read. Since The Dark Half has been adapted into a different film and this one is based on a short story published a year after that novel, I have no idea why this film was made. Hell, I do not really know why King wrote a short story on practically the same idea he put in an entire book.

After being confronted with a plagiarism accusation from John Shooter (John Turturro) regarding his short story "Secret Window", Morton Rainey (Johnny Depp) slowly discovers he is insane. Initially in denial about his own insanity, it quickly becomes apparent that this man should not be left alone as he is a danger to himself and society. While the twist is predictable for anybody familiar with King or movies in general, it is quite well handled and thoroughly compelling all the same. The film has a really engrossing sense of paranoia that really keeps you on edge as Morton begins to put things together and it really has no problems hooking you in from the very beginning.

Now, of course, a lot of that is due to Depp. He is never anything less than engrossing, even in bad films. He is sort of like Nicolas Cage in that way. He somehow breathes life into films where the material is below standard. Secret Window fits the bill there and is hardly Oscar-material. Yet, Depp makes it worthwhile playing the anger stricken husband with a cheating wife. His paranoia, neurosis, and obsession are all well-executed and Depp really brings it to life. By the end, you feel oddly sorry for the man as his story comes to life through his own tale. As a psycho, John Turturro is nothing less than stellar. He always brings his A-game and that is very much the case here as he plays the unhinged sociopath with ease and really has great chemistry with Depp in the scenes they share, which is a must.

Secret Window is a hard film to recommend. For those that like psychological thrillers, it is a bit too typical to really appeal. For those that do not, it may be appealing, but it does stick too closely to cliches to really change their opinions on the genre. While it does execute the cliches well and the ending is superb in the way it really grosses you out mentally and ties together with the short story he wrote, it is hard an excellent film. It is fun while it lasts with some unique elements, but is mostly just worth it for fans of Depp or the few people who like to check out Turturro appearances.… Expand

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bfoore90Jun 18, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Secret Window is a more than suitable psychological thriller with capable performances from Johnny Depp and a truly chilling performance from John Turturro. The problem to me has always been the third act, you can see the twist coming a mile away and the film does nothing to subvert it or much less hide the twist.… Expand

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mohamad91hkAug 23, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. From the beginning, you can expect that Johnny Depp & John Turturro are the same person, when Mort found out that his wife betraying him with Ted, he became schizophrenic psychopath, and started to imagine another character (John Turturro) who represents the latent revenge within him.

Who watch "Fight Club" & "A Beautiful Mind" they will know the secret of the movie since the first conversation between Johnny Depp & John Turturro, there is nothing mysterious in the film, we got enough of that theme.

The performance of Johnny Depp was great. In this film he proves that he can do any role given to him. Lastly, the ending was acceptable and satisfied.… Expand

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BroyaxApr 17, 2017

Film à rebondissement typique mais rebondissement unique : on lui pardonne volontiers d'autant qu'on se retrouve assez surpris au premier visionnage. Tirée d'une histoire de Stephen King, cruauté et paranoïa y font plus ou moins bon ménageFilm à rebondissement typique mais rebondissement unique : on lui pardonne volontiers d'autant qu'on se retrouve assez surpris au premier visionnage. Tirée d'une histoire de Stephen King, cruauté et paranoïa y font plus ou moins bon ménage tout comme la fin à laquelle on adhérera... plus ou moins.

Johnny s'en tire assez bien, car en dépit de sa belle gueule, c'est un acteur "assez bien" en règle générale avec ses quelques moments de fulgurance, parfois. Maria Bello est une décolorée bancale, trop souvent à côté de la plaque pour sa part : à la fois énervante et quelconque. Heureusement, Turturro est là, toujours aussi percutant en personnage cinglé ou inquiétant... ou les deux en même temps !

Le film est bien mené et sans gros défaut (à part en fait son histoire bizarre... pas forcément crédible) et se laisse regarder sans déplaisir mais ne parvient pas vraiment à sortir du lot des films de ce genre.… Expand

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