Review: The Turning

There have been many works inspired by Henry James’ 1898 horror novella The Turn of the Screw, be it on the stage, on television, in cinema or serving as inspiration to other literature. In regards to film though, perhaps the best known adaptation is Jack Clayton’s 1961 horror classic The Innocents, or Alejandro Amenabar’s The Others (the latter is not an adaptation of the novella, but James’ tale served as a major influence).

This new take on the story though, is one that was suspiciously under-discussed ahead of its blink and miss cinema release earlier this year - and watching the finished product, it’s not hard to see why. Starting as a project backed by Steven Spielberg in 2016, this horror was to be helmed by 28 Weeks Later director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, before being pulled and later revived by director Floria Sigismondi (The Runaways).

Set in the mid ‘90s, this film sees teacher Kate (Mackenzie Davis) leave her job to be a live-in tutor for young Flora (Brooklynn Prince) of the Fairchild estate. As Kate arrives Flora seems enthusiastic, the home’s stern caretaker Mrs. Grose (Barbara Marten) is less warm, but it is with the unexpected arrival of Flora’s aggressive and troubled older brother Miles (Finn Wolfhard) that things begin to get more difficult. As this home’s dark past comes to torment its present inhabitant.

For a good deal of the 94 minute (which seems much longer) duration, there are some hokey moments within this atmosphere piece but also some effective jolts, largely elevated by the efforts of a strong cast. It admittedly conjures some of the right levels of unease, frustration and ambiguity but there is a line which must not be crossed. This film not only crosses that line, it pelts past it maniacally laughing as it does so.

A film can be unfairly judged by one mistake be it a terrible twist, horrible character or shockingly poor ending. But sometimes these issues are not only a problem, they are a toxic component that taint the entire offering to the point you just cannot enjoy what went right, because it is now all rotten. The Turning has one such problem in a conclusion that is the most anger-inducing and film destroying since the likes of The Devil Inside.

For all the story’s convention and dour make-up, you were along for the ride, but Chad and Carey W. Hayes’ screenplay and its attempt at a "you decide" ending sees the narrative spiral too deep into ambiguity to resonate and linger as they intended. In fact it all out ruins everything that came before - good and/or bad - in its indecipherability.

The piecing together of plot puzzles is an admirable and compelling trait for any film to possess, especially a horror, but it must be planned and constructed fairly. Think of how filmmaker Ari Aster does this, it leaves you reeling but also thinking and by the end you are mesmerised as you move all the hints he gives you into place. The Turning does nothing to build to such a climax and leaves no indication it's heading there at all.

Instead it just feels like an actual ending was not decided upon, so they said "lets be mysterious", in this case it fails spectacularly and proves rather impenetrable, with the only logical conclusion being, "she's barmy" or "they're all barmy" and frankly 90+ minutes of atmospherics and spectres build to that "reveal" only makes this all the more a waste of those precious minutes.

Once this point arrives, you think back - naturally - across all you have seen and the cracks inevitably widen, as the plot and its irritatingly pointless characters shatter, leaving only a spooky score by Nathan Barr to emerge with any integrity left. The Turning is an absolute waste of potential, time and effort and perhaps a contender for the worst movie of 2020.

The Shining it ain't.

15
Director: Floria Sigismondi
Starring: Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, Brooklynn Prince, Joely Richardson, Barbara Marten
Release Date: Out Now (Sky Store)