The Rule of Jenny Pen

Not sure why people are giving this such low star ratings, very disturbing movie and Lithgow genuinely makes your skin crawl with the creep factor. This isn't a jump scare or gore scare movie, but even scarier in the idea that for many of us this is what we will face when we get old. Older people get taken advantage of and are very mistreated and this just showed the even darker side to that truth. I am not a fan of horror movies WHAT SO EVER and I am glad I saw this. I will say confused on why this movie is classified as a mystery though that part confused me ? Rush's acting is very believable as well, but Lithgow is the one that takes the movie to a new level. I felt sick to my stomach and had a feeling of dread come over me about getting older, so the movie did what it set out to do. Never have I hated a character than Lithgow ( well maybe the main guy in "nightingale" ) so he makes the movie a 9/10.

Nothing amazing, but a decent little film, I thought. Better than many of the reviews here would lead you to believe. Definitely worth a watch, as long as you can suspend your disbelief about no-one having a mobile phone or there being no security cameras. Otherwise, this is original, engaging, very well acted, darkly humorous, well-shot, and thankfully not quite as grim or disturbing as I was expecting, given the subject matter - bullying in a old people's home.

It's not a supernatural horror, it's more of a dark thriller with horror elements. No gore, that I remember. Lithgow and Rush gave excellent and brave performances. Would recommend.

This is is a compelling, if uneven, psychological thriller that thrives on the strength of its two lead performances. Both Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow create a storm of uncomfortable friction which leads them to deliver emotionally charged and nuanced portrayals. This elevates scenes that might have otherwise faltered under the weight of a flawed narrative.

While the film offers plenty to keep the viewer engaged-from stylish direction to atmospheric tension-it's let down by a script riddled with plot holes. Still, there's enough intrigue, character depth, and emotional investment to make it a worthwhile watch.

I'll be honest - I was sceptical going into this. Horror these days often leans too heavily on cheap jump scares or tired supernatural clichés. But 'The Rule of Jenny Pen' proved to be something far more unsettling. It burrowed under my skin in a way few films have managed this year, and the scariest part? There's nothing supernatural about it.

At its core, this is a story about aging, isolation, and the absolute horror of losing control - over your body, your mind, and even your dignity. Geoffrey Rush delivers a powerhouse performance as Judge Stefan Mortensen, once formidable but now diminished by a stroke, trapped in a care home where he's no longer the man he used to be. Then there's John Lithgow as Dave Crealy - easily one of the most unsettling screen presences in recent memory. There's nothing exaggerated or over-the-top about him; that's what makes it worse. He's a quiet, insidious bully, tormenting those around him in a way that's all too real. It's psychological horror at its most effective - unrelenting, suffocating, and utterly inescapable.

The film is deeply disturbing in the best possible way. It doesn't rely on gore or shock tactics-it simply forces you to sit with the horror of its reality, the sense of helplessness creeping in until you can't shake it. It made my skin crawl.

This is an outstanding film, with brilliant performances from both Rush and Lithgow. A sharp, unsettling psychological thriller that cuts to something we all understand: the fear of aging, of losing ourselves, and of being at the mercy of others. If you have aging family members - or simply dread the thought of your own future - this is a must-watch.

There's something inherently terrifying about losing control, and The Rule of Jenny Pen plays into that fear beautifully. Geoffrey Rush is compelling as Stefan Mortensen, a once-powerful judge who suffers a stroke and finds himself in a care home. The isolation and vulnerability he experiences are horrifying, even before the supernatural elements creep in. The fear of being forgotten or dismissed feels almost tangible. However, the film faltered in its execution. While it starts strong, introducing a tense and eerie atmosphere, the plot gets tangled in its own complexity. Some character choices felt exaggerated, and a few plot holes made me question the narrative. Despite that, the sense of dread stayed with me. It's a flawed film, but one that still offers a lot to think about.