Celebrity Nooz: Mary

Mary (2019)

Movie Title: Mary

Year Released: 2019

Rated: R

Runtime: 1h 24m

Genre: Horror, Mystery

Director: Michael Goi

Writer: Anthony Jaswinski

Starring: Gary Oldman, Emily Mortimer, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Stefanie Scott, Chloe Perrin, Owen Teague, Jennifer Esposito, Douglas Urbanski, Claire Byrne, Michael Landes,

Review: Horrors ahoy! When a seafaring family buy and rehab a rundown ship they soon discover the haunting horrors that lie within, not to mention dry rot. During its maiden voyage terrifying secrets are revealed and it would seem that once you set sail there may be no escaping... Mary.

Okay... I didn't expect much from this "horror on the high-seas" flick, but it surprise me at times - good acting and setting an effective mood.

Gary Oldman and Emily Mortimer are really giving it all they got in this rather cliched horror movie. Mortimer especially is really selling it here. She's goes from supportive matriarch to totally terrified effortlessly. I've always liked her, and she was the best part of Mary for me. Oldman is always good, but he doesn't really have much to do here other than try to explain away all of the ominous occurrences that plague his family's vexing voyage upon the villainous vessel.

The scares are predictable, but effectively done. The atmosphere is creepy and claustrophobic. It's essentially a haunted house movie that's set on a boat. My biggest problem is that it does that thing that drives me nuts about these kind of movies - if the house or boat, or houseboat, is haunted then just leave. Get the heck out of there and don't look back! But then there would be no movie, right? It's a little annoying, but I let it go and enjoyed Mortimer's performance.

Mary is entertaining enough, but easily forgettable. I say it's worth a look if you like these kind of movies, but there are much better ones out there. Dead Calm is way better, but it's more of a thriller than a straight up horror flick. So set sail for Emily Mortimer and creepy atmosphere, but jump ship for the cliches and not sinking this creepy craft when they had the chance.

Stars (out of 4):

Fun Fact: Gary Oldman replaced Nicolas Cage in the lead role.

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