The Skeleton Key
2005, Horror/Mystery & thriller, 1h 44m
156 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Thanks to its creaky and formulaic script, The Skeleton Key is more mumbo-jumbo than hoodoo and more dull than scary. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
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.
Cast & Crew
Kate Hudson
Caroline Ellis
Caroline Ellis
Gena Rowlands
Violet Devereaux
Violet Devereaux
John Hurt
Ben Devereaux
Ben Devereaux
Peter Sarsgaard
Luke
Luke
Joy Bryant
Jill
Jill
Maxine Barnett
Mama Cynthia
Mama Cynthia
Critic Reviews for The Skeleton Key
Audience Reviews for The Skeleton Key
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Feb 22, 2013The twist was great, curiosity kills the cat. Quite a unique film as you never know what's going to happen. Not very well acted, but it had a decent plot and set.Sylvester K Super Reviewer
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Jul 31, 2011I love New Orleans. I hate Kate Hudson. To my surprise I wasn't aware Hudson was in this. 'Skeleton Key' had a chance at being a great horror film (the gothic Orleans, the shrieking and creepy house, the premise is a nice twist on haunted house flicks) but it was predictable tantamount to watching your young kid try to arrange letters and you just want to scream 'IT'S G NEXT!". The second we hear the backstory it gives away a clue instantly and if you watch horror movies you know who is the true evil in about thirty minutes. With all the surprises drained from my viewing pleasure 'Skeleton Key' is a surprisingly, albeit overly cliche and predictable, suspenseful movie and the third act is taught and tense. Sadly, the third act and the fact it was shot in the glorious New Orleans cannot save the fact I guessed everything (accurately) in roughly thirty-minutes.Jonny B Super Reviewer
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Jul 13, 2011Ripper of an ending but everything before it is a boreBrendan N Super Reviewer
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Jul 08, 2011"The Skeleton Key" is certainly goofy and the various filters and morphing effects used to create 'creepy' images add a high level of camp, but the story itself is so interesting it helps pull the film through. The Hoodoo storyline is fun and the ending is suitably dark. The performances are serviceable with Kate Hudson delivering a believable turn. "The Skeleton Key" is rather straightforward when it comes down to it, but it has small, moody moments that make it slightly better than the rest.Steven C Super Reviewer
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