Another year, another film about a single father and a his offspring moving to a new home and becoming involved in some creepy antics typically involving the daughter. The last one I saw like this was Robert De Niro's HIDE AND SEEK but they seem to make them all the time, and THE NEW DAUGHTER is no different from all the rest. I expected more from director Luiso Berdejo, the man who wrote REC.
The story is of the usual content: Kevin Costner and his annoying kids move to a new house with a haunted reputation. Some interest arises from an ancient burial mound in his back garden, but the plot is so ambiguous that the viewer never really gets to enjoy that side of it. Instead this mediocre film just sort of burbles along aimlessly. The cast are okay but going through the motions here. Costner has his usual likable everyman charm but his character is a dour bore and the kids earn no sympathy from the viewer.
Samantha Mathis and Noah Taylor play in support as a teacher and professor respectively, but are wasted in minor parts, particularly the latter. The film works hard to remain realistic throughout with mere hints of shadows and the like but blows it with the silly, typically over the top climax. The abrupt ending is a kick in the teeth. Overall this is another disappointment from Hollywood.
The story is of the usual content: Kevin Costner and his annoying kids move to a new house with a haunted reputation. Some interest arises from an ancient burial mound in his back garden, but the plot is so ambiguous that the viewer never really gets to enjoy that side of it. Instead this mediocre film just sort of burbles along aimlessly. The cast are okay but going through the motions here. Costner has his usual likable everyman charm but his character is a dour bore and the kids earn no sympathy from the viewer.
Samantha Mathis and Noah Taylor play in support as a teacher and professor respectively, but are wasted in minor parts, particularly the latter. The film works hard to remain realistic throughout with mere hints of shadows and the like but blows it with the silly, typically over the top climax. The abrupt ending is a kick in the teeth. Overall this is another disappointment from Hollywood.