We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Name: We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: May 17, 2019
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Alexandra Daddario, Anna Nugent, Bosco Hogan, Crispin Glover, Ian Toner

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Ratings

See All

5.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.3	Your Score
5.3	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

We Have Always Lived In The Castle

Now Playing: We Have Always Lived In The Castle

Movie Details & Credits

Brainstorm Media | Release Date: May 17, 2019 | TV-14

Starring: Alexandra Daddario, Anna Nugent, Bosco Hogan, Crispin Glover, Ian Toner, Joanne Crawford, Patrick Joseph Byrnes, Paula Malcomson, Peter Coonan, Peter O'Meara, Sebastian Stan, Stephen Hogan, Taissa Farmiga, Una Carroll

Summary: Merricat, Constance and their Uncle Julian live in isolation after experiencing a family tragedy six years earlier. When cousin Charles arrives to steal the family fortune, he also threatens a dark secret they've been hiding.

Director: Stacie Passon

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 90 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Alonso Duralde

May 16, 2019

The performances are buttressed by a production that subtly underscores the intentions of both the characters and the plot, from the costumes by Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh (“Love & Friendship”) to the score from Andrew Hewitt (“The Stanford Prison Experiment”), which coax the film along to where it’s going without ever being too obvious about it. Read full review

Jennifer Szalai

May 16, 2019

Under Stacie Passon’s precise direction, this gothic fable of isolation and violence expertly treads a fine line between tragedy and camp. Read full review

Justin Lowe

May 18, 2019

Incorporating elements of drama and suspense, Passon’s pic avoids directly confronting her heroines' covertly sociopathic tendencies, preferring to view them as the outcome of internalized trauma rather than criminal intent. Read full review

The Playlist Kyle Kohner

May 13, 2019

While the overwrought dialogue does test attention spans, its prevailing message — humanity is malignant and inherently wicked— and the hint of something more cryptic makes Passon’s film beautifully disturbing. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Sep 25, 2019

We Have Always Lived in the Castle isn’t for the torture porn crowd, and R-rated horror fanatics will no doubt find it dull. They won’t be totally in the wrong for thinking so. But the rest of us can appreciate the chill and growing dread that only a most sympathetic Shirley Jackson adaptation can deliver, that only a production as accomplished as this can manage. Read full review

Alan Ng

May 13, 2019

While having all the key elements of a mystery, director Stacie Passon’s film is more a character study focusing on themes of the safety of sisterhood and self-imposed alienation. Read full review

Robert Abele

May 16, 2019

Heightened but airless, this “Castle” is like a checklist of the novel’s peculiarities, rather than its singular soul brought to life. Read full review

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

CodyYoung

Oct 3, 2020

If you come into this film with expectations, or develop any through the course of viewing it, you may readily find disappointment. One must enjoy it for what it is rather than what one might wish. The consensus on this film is unfortunately quite understandable. A pity, since this happensIf you come into this film with expectations, or develop any through the course of viewing it, you may readily find disappointment. One must enjoy it for what it is rather than what one might wish. The consensus on this film is unfortunately quite understandable. A pity, since this happens to be a lovely little picture with some fine acting acting and excellent production value. A treat for the appreciative.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Slovenly_Muse

May 26, 2019

A very serviceable, atmospheric retelling of the plot of Jackson's classic novel. This film is well-crafted, brilliantly performed, and stylistically effective. However, there is a unique, disturbing, off-kilter quality to the novel, giving it power and depth, that cannot be recapturedA very serviceable, atmospheric retelling of the plot of Jackson's classic novel. This film is well-crafted, brilliantly performed, and stylistically effective. However, there is a unique, disturbing, off-kilter quality to the novel, giving it power and depth, that cannot be recaptured through a visual medium. Through no fault of its own, the film falls just short of the mark.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JLuis_001

Aug 4, 2019

Functional but hardly. It's too slow for its own good and because of that it feels longer than it really is.
This is also aggravated because the story itself never seems to go anywhere and although it tries for its style and how well it's filmed, the narrative never gets you involved.Functional but hardly. It's too slow for its own good and because of that it feels longer than it really is.
This is also aggravated because the story itself never seems to go anywhere and although it tries for its style and how well it's filmed, the narrative never gets you involved.

Taissa Farmiga stands out and makes it clear that she can be looking for better options while Alexandra Daddario may be very beautiful but she simply doesn't deliver the goods.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JONGRIMES8554

Sep 20, 2019

Mindless drivel for 90 minutes. I wish I could get a refund from red box. I love Taissa Farmiga but the acting was

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS