The Others is one of those movies, like The Sixth Sense, where you more than likely know the plot twist before having watched it. That wasn’t the case when I originally saw the latter a while back, but when I picked up The Others this month I was vaguely aware of the ending. But hey, this is a classic in its own right, so I decided to check it out anyway.
It turned out the spoiler I thought I knew was only half of the reveal. Despite anticipating the first part, I was caught by surprise again and again by the smaller twists and turns of the plot. And there were several larger parts by the end I didn’t see coming at all!
The Others is a horror movie like no other. Despite its sporadic jumpscares and eerie atmosphere, the painful family drama at its core speaks to deeper emotion than simple fear. There’s so much to discuss and uncover even after the credits roll.
Nicole Kidman is an excellent lead, the child actors are fantastic, Fionnula Flanagan is both caring and unsettling, and I haven’t seen Christopher Eccleston (in his non-elf form) since Doctor Who!
The movie is rife with details that don’t make sense until later: the sunlight, the curtains, Grace’s headaches. The Others certainly bears rewatchabilty for its multifaceted plot and supernatural themes. Is its ending a happy, bittersweet, or tragic one? It’s still up to interpretation!
