Fearing Is Believing|Jul. 29, 2005|Germany|104 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama;Horror;Mystery;Thriller
Description: The Skeleton Key (2005) is a gripping thriller that follows Caroline Ellis, a hospice aide who leaves her job at a nursing home to become the caretaker of an isolated plantation house in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. She is hired to assist Violet Devereaux, the elderly matron of the house, in looking after her husband, Benjamin, who became mostly paralyzed after an apparent stroke. Encouraged by the family’s estate lawyer, Luke Marshall, Caroline takes on the role.
During a storm, Ben tries to escape his room, prompting Caroline to investigate the house’s attic with a skeleton key given to her by Violet. She discovers a hidden room filled with ritual objects. When confronted, Violet reveals that the room once belonged to two African American servants, Mama Cecile and Papa Justify, who were skilled in hoodoo practices. They were lynched 90 years earlier after performing a ritual involving the owners’ children, from whom Violet and Ben later purchased the house. Violet explains that the house has no mirrors because they reflect the spirits of Cecile and Justify.
Caroline finds a phonograph record in the attic titled *Conjure of Sacrifice*, a recording of Papa Justify performing a hoodoo ritual. She begins to suspect that Ben’s condition is tied to hoodoo magic but believes it might be a psychological nocebo effect rather than supernatural forces. With the help of her friend Jill, Caroline visits a hidden hoodoo shop in a local laundromat, where a practitioner provides her with tools and instructions to potentially heal Ben. After performing the ritual, Ben shows signs of recovery and begs Caroline to rescue him from Violet.
Despite her suspicions, Luke remains skeptical of Violet’s involvement. Caroline takes Ben to a gas station protected by a line of brick dust, a traditional hoodoo defense said to block harmful intentions. The tension escalates as Caroline uncovers the dark secrets of the house and the sinister forces at play.
Cast director: Iain Softley
Cast actor: Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, Peter Sarsgaard, John Hurt, Joy Bryant, Marion Zinser, Maxine Barnett, Fahnlohnee R. Harris, Deneen Tyler, Ann Dalrymple
Original name: The Skeleton Key