The Skeleton Key

I thought this movie would have a predictable plot and cookie cutter characters, but I was wrong. The entire cast delivered memorable performances, especially John Hurt who has maybe one line during the entire show. The story was engaging the whole way through, and the twists at the end were well played. I was so surprised by the turn of events, and good suprises always kick a movie's likability level up a notch for me.

I have to note that the creepiness of New Orleans has always served well as a backdrop for mystery films, and the plantation house in The Skeleton Key was almost like a freaky character itself adding to the spooky Hoodoo vibes throughout the film. I got this as a free rental, but I will probably buy this later.