Stonehearst Asylum

Millennium Films | Release Date: October 24, 2013

6.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 65 Ratings

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SpangleApr 23, 2016

Dammit. Stonehearst Asylum is a frustrating exercise. A compelling premise with a truly telegraphed ending that doubles down on its dumb final plot twist with the belief that a shoddily crafted romance/obsession can solve madness. I hate thatDammit. Stonehearst Asylum is a frustrating exercise. A compelling premise with a truly telegraphed ending that doubles down on its dumb final plot twist with the belief that a shoddily crafted romance/obsession can solve madness. I hate that very idea and it leaves a truly sour taste in my mouth from this otherwise acceptable film. The initial twists and turns are truly engaging and set up a terrifying premise, even if director Brad Anderson fails to conjure up any scares. The atmosphere is solid, but anything but scary. Instead, it is more of a thriller throughout. All the same, the period elements are top-notch and asylums always make for a truly compelling premise when it comes a horror/thriller film. This is certainly the case, especially when the production and costume design are this good. Kate Beckinsale, Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess, and Michael Caine, all turn in solid performances and get the job done from beginning to end. However, the ending is what skewers Stonehearst Asylum and is the film equivalent of putting the gun to your head and pulling the trigger.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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slicshuterNov 3, 2014

For starters, anyone who says this film copies the concept of Shutter Island is a moron, considering the original story for this was from Edgar Allen Poe. ANYWAY, I loved the film and the cast performed brilliantly, especially Beckinsale andFor starters, anyone who says this film copies the concept of Shutter Island is a moron, considering the original story for this was from Edgar Allen Poe. ANYWAY, I loved the film and the cast performed brilliantly, especially Beckinsale and Kingsley.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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nonasteFeb 4, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great movie and there's so few of those, sadly. Excellent plot, surprising twist, climatic conclusion and, last but not least, a happy ending. Bravo.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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quincytheodoreFeb 4, 2015

It's a terrifying idea that we can't trust medical professionals, let alone professionals of mental institution, in secluded England rural of last century no less. The movie plays with this innate distress particularly well, although it doesIt's a terrifying idea that we can't trust medical professionals, let alone professionals of mental institution, in secluded England rural of last century no less. The movie plays with this innate distress particularly well, although it does venture to more preposterous realm sometimes. Its star power and great original source make for a great mystery thriller and while it doesn't necessary produce genuine terror, it will most likely be pleasant to horror genre enthusiasts.

The story revolves around a new doctor Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) as he visits the titular asylum only to find that the institution harbors illicit secrets, and most importantly a certain beauty Eliza Graves (Kate Beckinsale). With other cast such as Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine and David Thewlis, the film has an edge for acting. Kate Beckinsale is superb here, she's an enigmatic enchanting damsel-in-distress. She could just simply standing and already a good cast for wallflower character, add the mysterious touch of alluring personality, Eliza is as good as female lead as any you could hope for.

The others deliver stellar performance as well. Ben Kinsley and Michael Caine create less than sensible figure of authority with questionable methods, although Ben Kingsley does resemble his character in Shutter Island a bit too much. David Thewlis as the more roguish caretaker has whimsical threatening poise, but this eccentricity doesn't really exemplify a fully villainous antagonist personality. The film script is elegant and the venerable cast has no problem on delivering it in the same fashion.

Cinematography works in the confined space, the asylum feels claustrophobic and inescapable. The movie sets a tone of doubt from its depiction of insanity and the mystery of who are plagued by it, along with the near tortuous alleged cure of such illness. However, the exaggerated tone occasionally becomes too silly for its own good, it has goes beyond quirky to just plain ridiculousness. In this case, more restraint to the wicked would've been better.

During the tour it feels as though Stonehearst Asylum could've been more polished, but its clever twists, excellent assembly and Kate Beckinsale in the green dress are more than enough reasons for a visit.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ozymandias79Nov 2, 2014

Good performances/actors and sets but very predicable. This film is so predictable that you get the feeling "its one of those movies" very early on...

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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smiyamotDec 23, 2015

A new doctor arrives at an insane asylum and the methods used by the doctor and staff are totally out of line for the times. Of course, this is a 100 years ago so the acceptable methods are barbaric. This doctor seems to be getting resultsA new doctor arrives at an insane asylum and the methods used by the doctor and staff are totally out of line for the times. Of course, this is a 100 years ago so the acceptable methods are barbaric. This doctor seems to be getting results with these new methods but something is a little off. There are more twists to this story, some anticipated, some not. For me, there's something creepy about being in locked in with crazy people, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest anyone?… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ViolettJul 10, 2017

Not a bad movie, but not even close to Shutter Island. Lets compare - both movies share quite similar idea - asylum, things are not as it seems, mystery, surprise ending. Both movies begin promicing - there is some deep mystery main heroNot a bad movie, but not even close to Shutter Island. Lets compare - both movies share quite similar idea - asylum, things are not as it seems, mystery, surprise ending. Both movies begin promicing - there is some deep mystery main hero tried to decipher through the lenght of a story, but then things become much different. Seriously, why this love story is here? Really out of place. If the author wants to see the real mystery of love he should see Illusionist movie. Here it looks weak and dull. The ending, unfortunately, is quite weak aswell. He is a patient, but not a doctor, he faked them all, what a surprise. And then he became a director of an asylum, lol. 610 and mostly for Kingsley masterplay.… Expand