In The Rule of Jenny Pen, Judge Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush) begins his journey in a world of order and power, governing his courtroom with the kind of intellectual precision that only a lifetime of legal experience can hone. The film begins with a striking scene in which Stefan collapses from a stroke in the middle of a vehement condemnation of a child predator.

It’s a tragic and ironic moment, as the man who formerly controlled the lives of others is abruptly deprived of his freedoms. While many films focus on the emotional aftermath of such a life-altering moment, James Ashcroft wastes no time putting Stefan in a new environment that will challenge his sense of control even more deeply.

Royale Pine Mews, Stefan’s assisted living facility, is introduced with the same icy sterility as a courtroom. The monotony of acoustic guitar singalongs and the dreary buzz of...