by Robert Scocchi
| Published
Sometimes a psychological horror film has the perfect cast, but doesn't have the best script to make the most of their talent. 2005 Hide and seek It falls into this unfortunate category, with Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning giving it their best shot with tense performances full of frenetic, paranoid energy as they confront an unknown source of terror. I can't even go wrong Hide and seek Because it's poorly produced despite the film's alleged budget constraints ($25 million is nothing to scoff at) because the cinematography is top notch, and effectively builds suspense before things start to unravel in the third act.
I'm reminded of an industry phrase I've learned while working with many audio engineers on music projects over the years regarding high-caliber production and talent when applied to mediocre songwriting that I believe applies to… Hide and seek. This means you can polish the poop all you want, but it's still a piece of crap.
But it is Hide and seek Really all that bad? Or is it just so contrived and generic – and not necessarily a scathing indictment in the right context – that most seasoned horror fans think it's a waste of time? The decisive result of 13 percent Rotten tomatoes This is telling, but what is even more telling is that 50 percent on the popcorn scale indicates this Hide and seek It's a fairly effective psychological thriller, and much better than critics might lead you to believe.
If I have to weigh it, Hide and seek He is Contrived and generic, but a solid entry point for the average horror fan.
Watch out Charlie
Hide and seek Introducing us to Dr. David Callaway (Robert De Niro) He is a psychologist who needs a fresh start with his daughter Emily (Dakota Fanning) after the suicide of his wife Allison (Amy Irving). Moving to upstate New York, David unpacks his belongings in his office and begins to put the pieces of his life back together. He spends his evenings listening to music and writing in his journal so he can make sense of the recent tragedy he and Emily have suffered, and David seems to be doing his best to allow his daughter a normal life after her mother's horrific death.
Aside from David's recurring nightmare about the New Year's Eve party when he last saw Alison alive, he seems to be holding himself together, but soon becomes unsettled by Emily's new imaginary friend, “Charlie.” Being a psychiatrist, David has reason to believe that Charlie is a coping mechanism that Emily created so she can process her grief. David's hypothesis seems valid until violence occurs – such as the murder of the family cat even though David and Emily live alone – which Emily always blames on Charlie.
As the film's title suggests, Emily likes to play hide and seek with Charlie when David is in his office, and the result of this seemingly innocent game always ends in violence. After befriending a local woman named Elizabeth (Elisabeth Shue), things escalate to the point of no return when Emily invites her (and Charlie) to play their twisted version of the game with them. David, working to overcome his grief, does the fatherly thing by trying to help Emily overcome her supposed delusions while becoming increasingly paranoid of the ever-out-of-reach Charlie, who turns his life upside down.
He acted appropriately, but failed to stick the landing
Remember when I said that Hide and seek Contrived and generic, but carried well by her talent? I stand by my claim because Robert De Niro Dakota Fanning works convincingly through the premise, even if the script leads their characters to a painfully obvious conclusion and reveal. The “twist” ending aspires to be just that Sixth sensebut we end up with a derivative reveal that will leave you underwhelmed if you're a frequent flyer on the airline of psychological horror.
Notably, Dakota Fanning has an excellent performance, which becomes even more impressive when you consider that she was only 11 years old at the time. Hide and seek He releases. Portraying a young girl tormented by a violent imaginary friend (or an anonymous stranger pretending to be imaginary) is no easy feat, and she convincingly conveys her sense of fear and confusion to the audience through her innocent exchanges with her concerned father whenever Charlie appears. Up to make matters worse. You'll find yourself wondering if she's a manipulative little girl trying to control her father, or if she's really being tortured by Charlie, and the answer might surprise you if you let your guard down.
I also can't necessarily blame De Niro and Fanning for doing the best they could with what they were given, because there's a father/daughter dynamic involved. Hide and seek It seems like it's coming from a real place.
Watch hide and seek
He is Hide and seek Does it deserve a 13 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes? Not by a long shot. If anything, I consider this film to be a mid-level, entry-level psychological horror film, and it has its rightful place in the genre for casual viewers who are not yet tired of the conventions of the generic genre.
As of this writing Hide and seek Not available on My neighborwhich is unfortunate because it's a quintessential low-stakes film with some brilliantly shot scenes that are truly unsettling. However, you can verify the address when ordering through Google Play Movies, Apple TV+, Fandango at homeand Amazon Prime Video.
