This was a fun seasonal horror remake! Massive fan of books inspired by literary classics, just can’t help myself.
Retelling/ engaging with The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, it’s a tale of an American au pair/student writing her thesis on the Turn. She goes to work in a rural English mansion for her elusive employer who has left his children in the care of successive nannies and caregivers. Inside the house the oppressive atmosphere and the children’s (perceived) contempt reach a horrific climax.
It’s a great psychological thriller in the sense that you get glimpses into the escalating and disturbing thoughts of the narrator. You get little trickles of information and weird things that then all converge. I love these Poe-ish and slightly manic protagonists.
There is a fair bit of literary pretension here. I don’t think it’s a problem, in fact I rather like it as it reminds me of uni days, but fair warning that Derrida may or may not make an appearance. I think it’s a “take it or leave it” element – the story works fine without the literary criticism bits if that’s not your thing.
In some ways there’s a great sense of the chaotic yet intellectualised college lifestyle where people’s insecurities and neuroses are free to run riot. Sexual politics and repression are beautifully explored. The supporting characters are perfect.
Desperate to read The Turn of the Screw now! I think knowledge of that story adds to this one, but again, the story also works cogently on its own.
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