Phil Roberts 
The Rule of Jenny Pen is a well-executed and captivating thriller featuring outstanding performances by Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow.
The Rule of Jenny Pen Review.
John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush are two of the most versatile actors on the planet. Lithgow cut his teeth with villainous roles in Santa Claus The Movie and Cliffhangar, while Rush cemented his legendary status as Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. So imagine pitting these titans against one another in one of the most unsettling thrillers of the year. That pretty much sums up The Rule of Jenny Pen.
The film is hitting cinema screens this Friday before landing on Shudder on March 28 and is advertised as one of the biggest chillers of the year. But can the film capture lightning in a bottle and deliver the horror film we crave? Or should The Rule of Jenny Pen head back to the retirement home and confine itself to its room?
REVIEW
Fear not, film fans, because The Rule of Jenny Pen is a well-executed thriller exploring the chilling tale of a sadistic bully in a retirement home. Only this bully stalks the hallways with a creepy doll puppet called Jenny Pen. The film is a triumph, led brilliantly by phenomenal performances from Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. It’s edgy, unsettling, and gripping, giving you all the thrills you want. But don’t expect a conventional horror flick; this one serves up a genuinely chilling look at the struggles of living in a care home—particularly when there’s a bully around. But that’s the biggest detraction the film faces. The only horror element the film boasts is the creepy puppet, so if you’re hoping for jump scares and horrific imagery, look away now; this isn’t the film for you.
CARE HOME TERROR
The film is at its best when it focuses on the plight of its elderly residents, and Geoffrey Rush leads the charge. Playing an arrogant Judge who suffers a near-fatal stroke and is partially paralyzed, Rush finds himself confined to a retirement home while he recovers. He intends to complete his rehabilitation and return to his career. But soon, he clashes with a seemingly gentle resident named Dave Crealy (John Lithgow), who is secretly terrorizing the home with a sadistic game called “The Rule of Jenny Pen.” Stalking the hallways at night, Crealy wields his dementia doll, aptly named Jenny Pen, as an instrument of cruelty.
After witnessing Crealy’s cruelty firsthand, Stefan (Rush) takes it upon himself to defend the care home residents and bring him to justice. But soon, with his declining health and the care home staff unwilling to listen to his pleas for help, Stefan finds himself in a battle against his faculties; all the while, Crealy runs amok as the unrivaled bully of the care home.
RESIDENTIAL HORROR
The film effectively plays on our inner fears and highlights what could happen when we lose control of our faculties. It’s a primal fear that affects us all at some point, and having Stefan reduced from an all-powerful criminal judge to a victim is an enticing watch. Geoffrey Rush plays the role brilliantly, effortlessly capturing the fractured ego of a judge stripped of all the trappings that made him powerful. Now, as the victim in his own story, Stefan becomes this silent figure, almost begging his caregivers to hear him out.
In contrast, John Lithgow flourishes as the sadistic, cruel, and heartless Dave Crealy. Lithgow slips into the character with ease and relishes the freedom he is allowed to bring this character to life. Crealy is a nasty piece of work, and Lithgow revels in the nastiness he exudes. At times, he glares at his intended victim from across the room, while at others, he’s stealing other residents’ food like a bully. But when the lights go out, you see just how wicked he can be.
NIGHT TERRORS
Crealy roams the hallways with his spooky puppet, using stolen access cards from the care home staff that let him into every part of the building. No room is safe from his gaze, and under the cover of darkness, he commits heinous acts of cruelty against the residents. In these moments of cruelty, Lithgow finds the subtle nuances of the character and brings them to the surface. At times he seems quite harmless, willing the audience to sympathize with him, only to hit us with a sucker punch. The creepy puppet becomes his outlet for these sadistic acts of cruelty, serving as his defacto alter ego, and Lithgow brings her to life with unbridled joy.
In truth, the puppet is a red-herring, leading us on a merry dance until Lithgow’s brilliance rises to the surface. This performance highlights how impressive the actor is. At just 79, he’s still going strong, and honestly, I can’t wait to see what fabulous project he will do next! His performance in Conclave was exceptional, but he is phenomenal in The Rule Of Jenny Pen.
BULLYING OVER HORROR
Performances aside, the film is a compelling thriller. But as mentioned at the top of the review, the film is far from the chilling horror it was labeled as. The film has almost no horror elements to speak of. Sure, if you get chills from creepy-looking dolls and puppets, you might want to grab a cushion to hide behind. However, apart from this familiar trope, there isn’t anything genuinely scary to engage with. Instead, director James Ashcroft leverages the care home setting to emphasize the unsettling reality of powerlessness.
This thought-provoking narrative will leave you reflecting on the care system long after the credits roll. Whether it’s the fear of losing your abilities or dealing with workplace bullies, the story is instantly relatable and will make you apprehensive about the aging process. And perhaps that is where the horror truly lies.
VERDICT
Although I enjoyed The Rule of Jenny Pen, the absence of any legitimate horror elements felt anticlimactic. While the puppet’s use was effective as a legitimate red herring, it was ultimately a redundant prop in the grand scheme of the story. The narrative is gripping, and the sense of dread is one of its most enjoyable aspects. James Ashcroft effectively captures the isolation and loneliness experienced by those in the care system, prompting plenty of food for thought. However, the phenomenal performances by the cast stand out as the main highlight.
Make no mistake, Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow are on another level in this film. Rush won Best Actor at the Sitges Film Festival for his role, and it’s easy to see why. Casting these two titans as opposing leads was a masterstroke by Ashcroft, and watching them bring out the best in each other is a true joy. While it may not be the chilling horror we hoped for, the film has more than enough quality to make up for it. With its brilliant performances and chilling setting, the film is a gem. Just don’t grow old!
The Rule of Jenny Pen is in UK and Ireland cinemas on 14 March. Or you can catch the film from the comfort of your sofa when the movie premieres on Shudder on March 28.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
