139. The Turning; movie review

THE TURNING
Cert 15
94 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong horror

Here's a contender for the worst film not only of the virus lockdown but of 2020 so far.
The Turning's fundamental problem is that it is a horror movie which isn't scary but, let's be honest, it isn't alone there.
However, where it does stand apart from most is a nonsensical plot, wooden acting and the inclusion of almost every genre cliche imaginable.
Even worse, its ending is utterly bewildering.
Floria Sigismondi's film stars Mackenzie Davis as Kate, a young teacher, who, for reasons which are not fully explained, gives up her job to teach a seven-year-old girl (Brooklynn Prince) she has never previously met in the creepiest of creepy mansions.
Let's think about this for a minute.
The girl is an orphan so it is left for the audience to presume the ad was placed by a grumpy housekeeper (Barbara Marten) who allows the girl and her elder brother, Miles (Finn Wolfhard), to do just what they want.
If she did place the ad, why didn't she interview the teacher and examine her bonafides? And, in return, why didn't the teacher ask to meet her and the children and properly research their background?
Clearly, neither happened, so, Kate just turns up having never met them and is immediately at odds with the sneering housekeeper.
And, within a very short time, it becomes clear that neither the accommodation nor teaching regimes are what she had expected.
Then Miles turns up and terrorises her, psychologically, at every opportunity.
So, why on earth doesn't she just accept she has made a mistake and leave? Apparently, because she has made a promise to a seven-year-old she has only just met.
Oh, give me a break.
It starts badly and doesn't get any better - cliche after cliche is rolled out as Kate becomes more and more unhinged by the mayhem developing around her.
I couldn't wait until it was over.
Anyone who has been to a fair will know that the haunted house ride isn't scary.
Ditto, most haunted house movies. So, why do studios roll out so many?

Reasons to watch: If you are 15 and this is your first horror film
Reasons to avoid: It is dreadfully dull.

Laughs: None
Jumps: One
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 2/10

Did you know? The location for Turning is Killruddery House, on the southern outskirts of Bray in County Wicklow. It was also seen in “P.S. I Love You,” “The Tudors,” and “Angela's Ashes.” and dates from the 17th century.

The final word. Floria Sigismondi: "I really wanted a big, long driveway, and they had that beautiful drive up to the house with the scary, spindly trees that line the road, and then when you came up to the house, you could see people living and dying in there. The walls had a history. They had secrets, those long hallways. The maze was in there, the koi pond, the lake, so it had a lot of what we wanted." Next Big Picture

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