Recovering from a stroke at an assisted living facility, a judge (Geoffrey Rush) encounters a psychopathic patient (John Lithgow) who uses a hand puppet to abuse fellow residents.

If hell on earth does it exist, then The Rule of Jenny Pen, clarifies that it likely can be found inside the beige corridors of a closed-off retirement home in New Zealand, where its sad residents deteriorate both mentally and physically at a glacial rate while being kept alive by the best in modern medicine, and suffering through it all in banal silence and despair. Injected into this environment is a good dose of Bosch-like madness, and filmmaker James Ashcroft uses this environment to keep his audience on edge and freaked out of their minds in this chilling psychological horror picture!

At its core, The Rule of Jenny Pen is a predator-versus-prey thriller, drenched in psychological trauma and grotesque power dynamics. It follows the terrifying ordeal of Judge Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush), a once-revered legal mind now trapped in the clutches of the deranged Dave Crealy (John Lithgow). Crealy, a man who has long since learned to manipulate the system to his benefit, lords over the residents with the help of his sinister puppet, ‘Jenny Pen’ — an entity as eerie as it is inexplicably powerful. The tension between these two powerhouse actors makes for a spellbinding game of cat and mouse, one that unfolds in shocking and unpredictable ways.

Ashcroft crafts a narrative that refuses to let audiences find their footing. The film seamlessly shifts between gut-wrenching horror and pitch-black comedy, keeping viewers on edge with every twist and turn. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Ashcroft slams the brakes and veers into new, terrifying territory. This unpredictability is what makes The Rule of Jenny Pen such a standout in the modern horror landscape.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the phenomenal performances of its leads. John Lithgow is terrifyingly brilliant as Dave Crealy, embodying a presence that is both grotesque and hypnotic. He revels in his character’s perverse control over his fellow residents, making Crealy one of the most chilling horror antagonists in recent memory. Meanwhile, Geoffrey Rush brings his signature gravitas to Mortensen, portraying a man whose arrogance is shattered as he is forced into Crealy’s twisted game. The battle of wills between these two acting legends is nothing short of mesmerizing, elevating The Rule of Jenny Pen beyond standard horror fare into something truly special.

Ashcroft’s direction ensures that The Rule of Jenny Pen is not just a horror film — it’s an experience. This is the kind of psychological terror that seeps into your brain and lingers long after the credits roll. The film plays with expectations, never giving the audience a moment of respite, and by the time the final act arrives, viewers will find themselves completely immersed in its nightmarish world.

The Rule of Jenny Pen is not for the faint of heart. It’s a horror film that dares to be different, one that thrives on its discomfort and chaos. Ashcroft has crafted something truly special here, a film that is as disturbing as it is unforgettable, which is exactly what horror fans have been wanting!

Image: IFC Films

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Watch the full trailer for Conclave below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), tasked with finding the successor to the deceased Pope, discovers the former Pope had a secret that must be uncovered.

Leading from the front with Conclave is two-time Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes, who takes on the role of Cardinal Lawrence, a highly intelligent, thoughtful and questioning Cardinal who is given the responsibility to host the conclave that will elect the new Pope to rule over the Catholic faith, and who in his duty discovers a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the very foundation of the Church itself.

Fiennes brings his considerable presence and range to bear in the role of Cardinal Lawrence, who begins to suffer from a severe crisis of faith as he is encircled by a nest of vipers, all with their own ambitions as they vie to lead the church into the future.

A stacked supporting cast lends their considerable talents to the picture, including Sergio Castellito as the rigidly conservative Tedesco, John Lithgow as the potentially corrupt Tremblay, Stanley Tucci as the modest (and liberal) Bellini, and Carlos Diehz as the intriguing Benitez. All of these actors have a considerable force of drama at their disposal, and all will bring their aptitude for theatrics to this picture. And it shows in this gripping first trailer.

From the movement of this trailer, it’s clear that Berger is ramping up the energy with Conclave. The tension and stress placed upon Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence lead to a cinematic event that is a pure boiling point of intrigue and double-dealing, and you’ll be holding on for dear life with this picture.

Audiences seeking a highly intelligent piece of cinema that offers a pure rush of thrilling intrigue will be in for a very special cinema experience when Conclave arrives on the big screen on January 9, 2025.

Image: Roadshow Films

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If you’re looking for a bit of laugh-out-loud comedy then you’ve come to the right place with Daddy’s Home 2. I was a huge fan of the original film and was more than excited for the sequel. Returning director Sean Anders certainly knows how to push the buttons of Wahlberg and Ferrell, and he’s taken both of them in a terrific direction with the film’s sequel. Part of what makes a sequel great in my opinion is that characters grow, and this is especially true of Dusty and Brad. Wahlberg’s Dusty is a lot more laid-back this time around, and Brad is ever-so-slightly more masculine (but only a little).

But all of this changes when their own Dad’s arrive.

While Wahlberg might have been in peak alpha male form in Daddy’s Home, he’s got nothing on Mel Gibson’s Kurt Mayron. This former astronaut and all-around womaniser is a grad-A prick and really socks it to his adult son for plenty of laughs. Old Mel doesn’t take to fondly to his son’s ‘co-Dad; lifestyle and throws plenty of shade at Wahlberg.

Then there’s John Lithgow as Brad’s dad Don Whittaker. If you’re looking for a snowflake, well you’ve found it with Don. This big’ol softee is a bit of a nincompoop, and well he brings out Brad’s more pathetic attributes as a result. Lithgow really lets loose with Don and his cringe-worthy behaviour, which includes full-lip kissing with his adult son, and you’ll find yourself crying with laughter.

Did I mention that Daddy’s Home 2 is packed out with comedy? Yep. There’s plenty of it, and without giving anything away I have to mention that Ferrell and Lithgow lead the way. Some of my favourite moments include Lithgow’s ‘wolf experience’ and Ferrell’s Christmas tree shopping. Trust me, you’ll howl with laughter. And while inevitable jealousies arise, it’s not just the daddy’s who are taking part this time. That’s right Linda Cardellini and Alessandra Ambrosio wage their own step-parent war, and their constant bickering it pretty hilarious to watch.

I also have to mention John Cena, who is Dusty’s mortal enemy Roger, and who continues to showcase his wild comedy talent. Again not giving too much away let’s just say Cena has real range and he can definitely carry a note.

Sometimes with a film, you just need something simple and completely over-the-top. Well, that’s exactly what Daddy’s Home 2 does and the holiday season will be a whole lot funnier for it.

Image: Paramount Pictures 

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