The Uninvited

2008, **1/2, R

This re-make of a Korean thriller is actually better than I anticipated, although it does fall short toward the end.

Anna (Emily Browning, “Lemony Snickets: A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “Darnkess Falls”) has just been released from a mental patient facilty, and picked up by her father, Steven (David Strathairn, “Good Night & Good Luck,” “The River Wild”). We soon learn her mother was very sick a few months before, and died in a fire on the family shore property. Her sister Alex (Arielle Kebbel, “The Grudge 2,” “John Tucker Must Die”) informs her of her fathers behavior with the mothers previous caretaker (Elizabeth Banks, “Zack & Miri Make a Porno”) and believes there’s more going on, something terrible.

Strange flashbacks, which are hard to distinguish from reality start happening; Anna sees spirits of deceased children, and her mother. Meanwhile dads new girlfriend (Banks) has re-done parts of the house, and being over possessive of Anna’s whereabouts on the property.

I like the mystery in this ghost story-thriller. The acting was decent. The story kept you involved, but then there is a massive switch of gears and things get a tad confusing. I never understood why some writers like to change up the story towards the end of the film. Sometimes ideas are more enticing when kept straightforward.