The Rule of Jenny Pen is a rare gem in the horror genre, offering a unique and nuanced portrayal of aging that is sure to intrigue and captivate audiences. Directed by James Ashcroft, this New Zealand thriller takes a familiar horror trope—fear of the elderly—and flips it on its head, treating its aging characters with dignity while still delivering plenty of chills. What makes the film even more remarkable is its stellar cast, led by the incomparable Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow, whose performances turn the movie into a tense and gripping battle of wills.
The film opens with Judge Stefan Mortensen (played by Geoffrey Rush) suffering a stroke during a courtroom scene, a moment that sets the stage for his physical and emotional decline. Mortensen checks into Royale Pine Mews, a care facility meant to rehabilitate older people, but instead of peace, he finds chaos. The facility is home to Dave Crealy (John Lithgow), a former attendant who terrorizes other residents, especially Mortensen, with his eerie puppet, Jenny Pen. Lithgow’s portrayal of Crealy is both unsettling and captivating—his piercing blue eyes, toothy grin, and jovial malice make him a terrifying antagonist who seems to thrive on tormenting others. His baby doll puppet, Jenny Pen, with its smoldering, empty eye sockets, adds a layer of surreal horror that elevates the film beyond a typical psychological thriller.
Rush is equally impressive as the once-powerful Mortensen, now grappling with the vulnerabilities of his aging body and mind. His performance is layered with pride, bitterness, and desperation as he tries to regain control of his life and dignity. The scenes between Rush and Lithgow are electric, and there is a Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? style clash between two aging titans. Their dynamic is as much a battle of wits as it is of strength, with each trying to outmaneuver the other in a game that feels both deeply personal and terrifyingly high-stakes.
While the performances of Rush and Lithgow are the film’s undeniable centerpiece, the supporting cast also deserves recognition. George Henare, playing Mortensen’s ex-rugby star roommate Tony, adds a poignant contrast to the escalating horror, and the staff at Royale Pine Mews highlight the film’s thought-provoking exploration of elder abuse and neglect. The film is a chilling reflection on how society infantilizes and dismisses the elderly, adding real emotional weight to the horror elements.
Ashcroft’s direction is sharp, and his ability to seamlessly weave in surreal elements—particularly the presence of the sinister Jenny Pen—gives the film a nightmarish, almost spiritual quality. The film never feels exploitative, even when confronting the audience with the raw, often uncomfortable realities of aging.
In short, The Rule of Jenny Pen is a masterclass in atmospheric horror that rises above the genre’s clichés. With standout performances from Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow and a story that blends psychological tension with deeper themes of aging, loneliness, and fear, this film is a must-watch for anyone looking for a horror movie with both heart and soul.