THE NEW DAUGHTER (2009)

Genre: Horror
Director: Luis Berdejo
Cast: Kevin Costner, Ivana Baquero, Samantha Mathis, Gattlin Griffith, Erik Palladino, Noah Taylor
RunTime: 1 hr 48 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films
Rating: NC-16 (Supernatural Theme and Some Disturbing)
Official Website: http://www.goldcirclefilms.com/movies/movie_the_new_daughter.html

Opening Day: 18 August 2011

Synopsis: On the heels of an acrimonious divorce, John James moves his children, Louisa and Sam, to a secluded countryside house in order to give his family a fresh start. Louisa finds solace exploring a mysterious mound situated close to the home, and soon begins assuming a dark new persona. Then, when increasingly disturbing events plague the James’ household, and John subsequently investigates the locale's past, he finds he must save Louisa from a terrifying, centuries-old phenomenon.

Movie Review:

Not counting the supernatural thriller “Dragonfly”, “The New Daughter” actually marks Kevin Costner’s first foray into the horror genre. While that’s typically a risky venture, it would seem though that his maiden voyage is in good hands- after all, the director is one Luis Alejandro Berdejo, better known as one of the co-writers of the Spanish horror hit [REC], who makes his English-language debut here.

The premise of the movie seems straight out of the textbook of Horror 101- a single father moves in with his two children into a secluded old house in rural South Carolina, only to discover that there is something sinister going out in and around the compounds. Just as predictably, his daughter starts to exhibit strange behaviour- spending much time alone outside, falling into catatonic trances, and returning home covered with mud and scars.

Though these disturbing occurrences aren’t particularly original, Berdejo does a good job building up the tension in the movie. The floorboards creak, strange footprints are seen in the house, and an ominous-looking earthen mound is discovered outside- with the usual horror tropes of jump cuts and jarring sound effects, Berdejo handily unnerves his audience and sets you up in anticipation for that final revelation.

Of course, he also has assembled a competent cast for that task. Costner exudes a low-key but no less dignified presence as a father grappling to come to terms with his teenage daughter whom he quickly realises is not the little girl she once used to be. But even the veteran leading man is upstaged by a terrific disquieting performance by Pan’s Labyrinth star Ivana Baquero, who incidentally also makes her English-language debut here, Baquero isn’t given much to say, but conveys much more with her creepily expressive demeanour. 

Berdejo’s slow and steady buildup comes to a head in the last third of the film, and here’s where we suspect many viewers may not take too kindly to the change in tone of the movie. We won’t be giving away any spoilers here, but suffice to say that screenwriter John Travis (working off a short story by John Connolly) turns the horror into quite something else entirely, especially when Costner realises the danger from which he has to rescue his daughter from.

While the last third does strain credulity, Berdejo keeps a tight rein on the subsequent mayhem, never letting it descend into camp. Kudos too to both Costner and Baquero, whose consistent and even unflinching performances go a long way in getting their audience to buy into the rather unexpected twist of events. Berdejo also has the courage to avoid ending the film conveniently, which we suspect may further antagonise viewers who weren’t convinced in the first place.

Though it is nowhere near a perfect film, “The New Daughter” is a nice little horror flick that surely deserves a much better reception than what it had received in the States. Some have even gone as far to proclaim it as the grave of once-A-list Hollywood star Kevin Costner’s career, but we disagree- at the very least, it shows Costner’s versatility as an actor that shines through even in a vastly different genre from his usual movies. Go into it with an open mind, and you’ll find this an atmospheric thriller with a daring twist.  

Movie Rating:  

(A creepy horror thriller that threatens to, but thankfully never quite, falls apart during its third act- also featuring Kevin Costner in his first horror film)

Review by Gabriel Chong