The Rule of Jenny Pen: A Horror Movie That Will Leave You Gasping for Breath

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As a film enthusiast, I can attest that James Ashcroft’s “The Rule Of Jenny Pen” makes an immediate impact as a chilling, all-consuming work. In the opening scene, Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Geoffrey Rush, unleashes his venomous wrath in a courtroom, harshly condemning a man convicted of heinous crimes including sexual abuse of a minor. However, the judge’s disdain isn’t limited to the criminal; he scornfully dismisses the gratitude expressed by the victim’s mother in the gallery, labeling her as despicable for allowing her child to be put in danger. He delivers a sermon that “where there are no lions, hyenas rule,” implying that those who should protect are instead preying upon the vulnerable.

The Rule Of Jenny Pen

Launch Date: The movie will be unveiled on the 7th of March, 2025.
The film is masterfully directed by James Ashcroft.
Co-written by James Ashcroft and Eli Kent.
Featuring acting talents such as John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, and George Henare.
It carries an R rating due to its graphic depiction of violence, including instances of sexual assault, as well as some strong language.
The movie runs for approximately 103 minutes.

In most movies, the villain would be introduced here, but surprisingly, our main character is the judge. This might seem like an obstacle too high for the movie to overcome, but it manages by introducing us to the terrifying character of John Lithgow’s Dave Crealy instead. Dave is a nightmare, while the judge appears calm and gentle, like a purring kitten in comparison.

Jenny Pen’s Rule is simply exceptional in building compelling characters, but it’s only one of the many powerful techniques used to create a heart-pounding, spine-tingling film that leaves an indelible mark. Stellar acting, a haunting ambiance, and a taut plot make it a standout and a strong contender for the title of best horror movie of 2025.

The courtroom scene concludes abruptly when the judge, during a heated rant, suffers a severe stroke and is transported to Royal Pine Mews, a retirement home where he intends to recover and return to his regular life. Despite the stroke not curing his hostile demeanor, Stefan swiftly drives everyone at the facility away with his unpleasantness, showing no interest in activities or socializing. Instead, he isolates himself in a self-created bubble of misery. However, matters take a drastic turn for the worse when long-term resident Dave Crealy sets his sights on Stefan.

At Royal Pine Mews, staff often perceive Dave as a typical senior with dementia due to his constant companion, a baby doll named Jenny Pen, and his frequent laughter at the television. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Dave is far from ordinary – he’s meticulously aware of his actions, and he has an unusual fondness for cruelty. He navigates the retirement home effortlessly, wandering the halls at night to visit rooms and administer his unique form of psychological and physical torment.

Used to wielding power and authority, Stefan initially scoffs at his tormentor and dismisses his actions as harmless, but it doesn’t take much time for him to understand that he has significantly underestimated this person. As his health and mental capabilities decline, Dave’s mistreatment only intensifies.

The Rule Of Jenny Pen is a mind-ripper that successfully both terrifies and horrifies.

How could an elderly gentleman articulate that someone left a soiled bag on him, despite the nurses assuming he might have simply wet himself out of embarrassment? Similarly, how can he clarify that his leg bruises came from kicks instead of bumping into tables while in a wheelchair? Dave skillfully navigates the system, knowing all the levers to pull and limits to push. As a result, he maintains control over his own personal torment, which is both grueling and intriguing. James Ashcroft’s direction and Gretchen Peterson’s editing create scenes that make you flinch with every moment of pain inflicted by the monster – but his violent actions (such as a scene where he yanks and tugs on a man’s catheter, causing you to reflexively cross your legs) are less intense than his manipulations and cruel emotional attacks.

An old man needs help explaining that someone left dirty things on him because the nurses think he just peed himself out of embarrassment. He also wants to show that his leg bruises came from kicks, not bumping into low tables while in a wheelchair. Dave is really good at figuring out how to get what he wants within the system, and this gives him control over his own tough life. James Ashcroft’s direction and Gretchen Peterson’s editing make you wince with each painful moment shown in the film – but the violence (which includes a scene of the character pulling on another man’s catheter, making viewers instinctively cross their legs) is less shocking than his emotional abuse.

As a passionate cinephile, I must say that the intriguing title of “The Rule Of Jenny Pen” stems from an unsettling behavior displayed by one character named Dave. He has a twisted routine where he compels his victims to acknowledge his baby puppet’s ‘rule,’ followed by asking them to lick its rear end, symbolically represented as him offering his wrist for a tongue bath. It’s hard to put into words just how disturbing this act is when it unfolds on screen, and it’s only one of many repulsive ways Dave manipulates the residents at Royal Pine Mews, degrading, staring, stealing, and lying to them. This evil, homicidal insanity… well, it eventually makes Stefan a relatable, sympathetic protagonist in this dark tale.

Moreover, James Ashcroft skillfully creates an oppressive and nerve-wracking ambiance that amplifies the fear and dread to unprecedented levels. Stephan isn’t just a victim of Dave’s torment, but is also ensnared in a strange setting, bereft of assistance, and lacking mental clarity –this is all effectively portrayed through unconventional camera angles, thoughtful manipulation of depth, and aggressive editing. There are evident echoes of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining in the production of The Rule Of Jenny Pen, as Ashcroft imbues Royal Pine Mews with a sinister vitality mirroring the infamous Overlook Hotel (though devoid of supernatural elements).

John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush give two of most phenomenal performances of their respective careers – which is saying a hell of a lot.

As a fervent admirer, let me express my awe for this masterpiece – a screenplay jointly penned by James Ashcroft and Eli Kent, inspired by Owen Marshall’s short story. The film is superbly cast, allowing it to truly shine. It requires courage to embody characters like Stefan Mortensen and Dave Crealy, as they will forever change the way we perceive Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. Yet, their performances are indelible, making every moment on screen unforgettable.

Despite his harsh and unfeeling demeanor, Rush’s character exudes a sense of respectability and nobility that prevents the audience from entirely disliking him; although he may come across as rude and cold, there is something about his tenacity in maintaining his dignity that resonates with us. To put it another way, while he can be stern and unapproachable, we find him relatable due to his determination. Moreover, the actor delivers a remarkable performance when this determination is pushed to its limits – not just during instances of violent mistreatment, but also when his character struggles to regain his footing after suffering a stroke.

Regarding Lithgow, I must say, his portrayal as Arthur Mitchell in the fourth season of “Dexter” had already given me a glimpse into his ability to delve into deeply disturbing realms. However, the malevolence displayed by Dave Crealy in “The Rule Of Jenny Pen” surpasses anything humanly conceivable. Even the most hardened, horror-saturated viewers will likely be taken aback by Lithgow’s performance in this production.

The Rule of Jenny Pen is an exhilarating horror movie that you should really watch, rather than just hear about. This year, it will be available to stream, but it’s also incredibly enjoyable when watched in a theater filled with people who gasp and scream along with the film. In 2025, The Rule of Jenny Pen stands out as one of the top three terrifying films released so far, following Drew Hancock’s Companion and Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey. Any true horror enthusiast won’t want to miss it.

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2025-03-01 08:37