Directed by:
John PolsonScreenplay:
Ari SchlossbergCinematography:
Dariusz WolskiComposer:
John OttmanCast:
Robert De Niro, Dakota Fanning, Famke Janssen, Dylan Baker, Robert John Burke, Amy Irving, James McCaffrey, Elisabeth Shue, Melissa Leo, Josh Flitter (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
After his wife is found dead in the bathtub, Manhattan psychologist David Callaway (De Niro) decides to take his traumatized child, Emily (Fanning), to live in a big, gloomy country house upstate. The shadow of the twisty backyard woods--or something darker--soon creeps over the house and Emily finds a weird friend named Charlie, who her father believes is only imaginary. Charlie likes to play games, and is also very jealous of anyone who tries to come between Emily and her dad, like an attractive local divorcee (Elizabeth Shue) and Emily's New York psychiatrist (Famke Jannsen). (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (5)
I have the impression that in the first decade of the 21st century there was a competition among creators about who could ruin a decent film the most with one stupid twist. Hide and Seek is a decently made and atmospheric film with good performances that it’s unfortunately brought down by the script, especially in the climax. But it’s watchable enough.
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The psychological structure of the film is as precarious as a house of cards, not to mention the completely idiotic ending, which I didn't expect, but at the same time it seemed completely unsuitable and as a result, the film lost even the smallest hint of realism, which could be felt at least halfway through it.
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…nine-hippopotamus, ten-hippopotamus. Coming, ready or not! Where d'ya go? Where d'ya hide? You're not in the places I tried! A flawless routineer movie for cold winter evenings by the TV. Nothing excels here, everything is as you expect. You have seen all of this somewhere before. The end message is obvious from the very beginning, a fat that the creators are fully aware of, and so they don’t build the entire movie on it. If the movie had ended immediately after the punchline, I would give this three inoffensive but rather boring stars. Unfortunately, for some mysterious reason Hide and Seek continues another fifteen minutes after it. Those fifteen minutes are ridiculous and unfair on all those involved.
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The suspense in Hide and Seek builds up slowly and thoroughly from zero to one hundred percent, lasting for five minutes in its peak form and then drowned by a point so moronic that it will “surprise” you even if you are prepared for the height of stupidity. Or rather banality. However, the directing is decent and Dakota Fanning is better than Robert De Niro. The screenwriter belongs behind bars.
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With this film, there is quite a noticeable effort to create a new Psycho, a dark psychothriller with a touch of horror, which is based on a significant revelation. Unfortunately, it doesn't come close to the qualities of Psycho, not even remotely. The film starts slowly, but as long as it works with hints and utilizes the talented Dakota Fanning, it's still fine. However, when the big revelation comes, it's simply forced and unbelievable, especially considering the actions of that girl. Furthermore, the finale is clichéd and dragged out. Overall impression: 55%.
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