You most likely do not have “Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow going at one another’s throats” in your 2025 Bingo card. It is worthy of be aware how, although Lithgow is the villain of their new thriller The Rule of Jenny Pen, he will get high billing over Rush, an Oscar-winner from The King’s Speech. It is a movie that relishes its villainy, and Lithgow is driving sizzling after his standout — and likewise villainous — flip in Edward Berger’s red-hot characteristic, Conclave. Lithgow stays very a lot within the information after being forged as the enduring Dumbledore character within the new and extremely anticipated Harry Potter sequence (and being a humorous a part of the current 97th Academy Awards telecast).
It is also noteworthy that Lithgow, very a lot an American performer, dons a flawless English accent in his new horror-thriller from IFC Movies and Shudder. In the meantime, do not sleep on the reliably dedicated Geoffrey Rush right here, aka “Barbosa” to the millennials who grew up watching him battle Captain Jack Sparrow in a number of Pirates of the Caribbean flicks. It is unusual to suppose how Lithgow and Rush’s embellished but odd careers have dovetailed on this cheeky however nonetheless disturbing horror deal with that sees them going face to face in a nursing dwelling. From co-writer and director James Ashcroft, The Rule of Jenny Pen — titled after a deranged puppet — is meme-able to the max, with perverse story beats which may make your jaw drop. It is no shock Stephen King is a fan.
A Stroke of Unhealthy Luck
When your growing old physique betrays you, it is assumed you are left to be cared for whilst you heal and/or dwell out your remaining days. In case your thoughts is alert and intact throughout this seemingly agonizing course of, let’s hope it is easy crusing with regards to coping with the able-bodied of us tending to you. However what in case your thoughts betrays you as nicely? This appears to be the predicament that takes form as soon as a colourful and fairly opinionated choose named Stefan Mortensen (Rush) collapses after having a stroke in the midst of a high-profile courtroom case. That is the eerie opening of The Rule of Jenny Pen, a stark reminder that we’re in for one more chilling Shudder entry. It is a tragic episode in Mortensen’s life that shortly results in him being a wheelchair person in an elder-care facility.
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It ought to come as no shock that the choose declares himself able to depart the power after only a brief time period, even if his unbearably cussed self nonetheless must be wheeled resident in any respect hours. And should you suppose he is a ache within the butt to be round, simply you wait: Enter fellow affected person Dave Crealy (Lithgow), a seasoned resident who’s like the favored child at school. With a twinkling visage and an unnerving smile unveiling his nasty set of enamel, Crealy’s charisma has no impact on Mortensen, who thinks he is a creep. What’s even creepier is Crealy’s little pal he carries with him on one arm: a child puppet he calls “Jenny Pen” with a chilling sneer you will not neglect anytime quickly.
The grumpy Mortensen is already immune to these round him, together with his pleasant roommate Sonny (the wonderful Nathaniel Lees). So when Crealy comes alongside and begins dancing maniacally with puppet Jenny on the nursing dwelling’s expertise reveals — and simply perpetually making his presence generally known as the daunting “large man on campus” — it is the final straw for the choose. Sadly for him, he is considerably helpless in a tortuous energy play between himself and Crealy, who appears to be well-versed in Mortensen’s previous checkered profession.
A Lithgow Most Sinister
The stakes, in fact, skyrocket as soon as Mortensen decides to take issues into his personal arms (nicely, perhaps with Sonny’s arms as nicely), hoping to place an finish to Crealy’s sinister video games as soon as and for all. It ought to come as no shock that the oblivious nursing workers are not any assist by any means, with Crealy having artfully mastered the best way to wield his devices of cruelty behind the backs of the powers-that-be.
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Certain, Lithgow has tackled menacing roles over the many years, however his devilish voice right here is miles away from that of, say, Lord Farquaad from his Shrek days. And that is factor. Even should you can predict the place issues are headed in The Rule of Jenny Pen, be careful for sure backstory particulars to floor alongside the way in which, particularly pertaining to Crealy’s mysterious persona. What precisely led him to such deranged hobbies? And there is the ending, which — with a perverse thriller like this — might by no means achieve totally satisfying viewers after laying out such scrumptious playing cards initially. Potential for a follow-up? You would possibly simply be hoping for one, the way in which director Ashcroft shortly places a bow on issues earlier than the credit roll.
From IFC Movies and Shudder, The Rule of Jenny Pen shall be launched in theaters on March 7 earlier than coming to Shudder at a later date.