The Rule of Jenny Pen is a psychological horror film with a bold idea and a standout cast, though it doesn’t always hit its mark. It’s the kind of film you watch for the actors, and in this case, that’s a strong reason to stay with it.
The film follows Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Geoffrey Rush, who is sent to a care home after a stroke. There, he meets Dave Crealy, played by John Lithgow, a cruel and manipulative resident who uses a disturbing puppet named Jenny Pen to control and torment others. The story slowly turns into a battle of wills inside a place where fear, humiliation, and weakness all mix together.
Lithgow and Rush are the reason to watch. Lithgow delivers one of his most chilling performances in years, giving Crealy a strange mix of charm and madness. Rush plays the fragile, frustrated judge with quiet power, showing both fear and dignity. Their scenes together carry real weight, even when the story loses focus.
The direction by James Ashcroft creates a tense and claustrophobic mood. Long shots of empty hallways, flickering lights, and cold hospital rooms build unease without relying on jump scares. The film is stylish and unsettling, with a slow rhythm that sometimes works and sometimes drags.
Still, not everything lands. The story moves unevenly, with moments that feel repetitive or underwritten. The tension sometimes fades when it should rise, and a few twists arrive too suddenly. Some characters act strangely just to push the plot forward, which takes away from the realism.
Critics have been mixed. Many praise the acting, atmosphere, and subtle horror, while others find the film too slow or emotionally distant. It’s not the kind of horror that shocks; it’s one that lingers quietly, more about dread than fear.
By the end, The Rule of Jenny Pen feels like an elegant but uneven experiment. It’s a film that fascinates more than it frightens, carried by two masterful performances. For fans of John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush, it’s worth watching, not for the scares, but for the craft and tension these two legends bring to every scene.