John Lithgow delivers terror and fear to a nursing home in "The Rule of Jenny Pen" (Fantastic Fest)
The kickoff film for Fantastic Fest 2024 is John Ashcroft's latest feature, "The Rule of Jenny Pen", starring Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. The film follows Rush as a judge recovering from a stroke who is sent to a nursing home. There, he meets Tom (Lithgow), a resident who terrorizes the other members of the home with his demented doll, "Jenny Pen." Imagine Grumpy Old Men meets The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, and you'll understand the twisted vibe Ashcroft brings to the table.
The Rule of Jenny Pen delves into the dark side of aging, exploring themes of fear, isolation, and what it means to be forgotten. Lithgow shines as the villain you didn't know you needed. In an era where many monsters are shrouded in mysticism or demonic forces, Lithgow’s portrayal of an evil fueled by the human mind reminds us how terrifying the psyche can be. His reign of terror is chilling, leaving lasting scars on the subconscious. The doll, Jenny Pen, is disturbingly vivid, a grotesque figure of comfort for some while being a source of nightmares for others.
The film surprises in more ways than one, tackling the grim realities of the nursing home industry. It paints an unflattering picture of a system plagued by the horror stories we've heard from those who’ve worked in or sent loved ones to these facilities. While The Rule of Jenny Pen doesn’t need to remind us that we live in a disposable society, it serves as a relentless reflection on how the final chapters of our lives can be filled with either love and peace, or unimaginable terror.
4/5
The Rule of Jenny Pen
Director: James Ashcroft
Cast: Geoffrey Rush, John Lithgow
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