John Carpenter's The Ward (15)

Starring: Amber Heard, Mamie Gummer

Reviewed,Anthony Quinn
Thursday 20 January 2011 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

There is a "thing" at large in John Carpenter's creepy asylum horror, but alas it's not The Thing. The year is 1966, and a disturbed arsonist, Kristen (Amber Heard), has been confined to a psychiatric ward under the supervision of Dr Jared Harris.

She shares a ward with several other young women who all seem to be haunted by the ghost of a dead inmate. Dr Harris's electrotherapy treatments don't help – as someone says, it will "fry the crazy right outta them" – and our suspicions gather as the narrative takes one blind turn after another. Sam Fuller's Shock Corridor and Scorsese's Shutter Island are its main reference points, though it approaches neither in terms of suspense, subtlety or invention. Call it Shlock Corridor – or Shitter Island.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in