Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Scarlet
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Spikeopath
I have certainly seen bigger budgeted movies in the genre far worse than this effort, it is competently acted, has some nice visual touches, and the director knows how to best utilise the monolithic house. That said, without genuine suspense it is hard to succeed in the genre, so without a fearful story as well it has little to no chance of making it. The crux of the matter is that the story really isn't that interesting, we have seen and read about this plot on numerous occasions, so for a TV movie to win you round it really is asking way too much. Basic ingredients are all here, creepy house, pretty wife confused, servant with big role to play, and of course the genre staple of sexual deviant husband with dark overtones. The film moves along sedately which is fine if the pay off is worth the wait, sadly it isn't here and it limps over the finish line instead of leaping over as the build up had promised.Just below average for me, but a gentle round of applause for effort to those involved, 4/10.
chrysdtl
I thought the movie was flat and insipid. The events that happen in that house - Rose Red - made me wonder and wait for a creepy if not unexpected explanation. In stead I don't really get one. The movie is not creative enough although it has a pretty good start and a lot of elements to play with. For example the origins of the black woman, the girl's handicap, the sexual behavior of the husband and the secrets of the house discovered by Ellen. To sum up I thought it was an awfully long movie that didn't say anything. I recommend you see "The others" if you're into creepy ghost stories that have a smart story line and surprise you in a pleasant way.
Elswet
Ellen Rimbauer's Diary clearly explains that there were Native American workers, an accident, a subsequent curse, and so the ground is soured as in the Mic Mac burial grounds in Stephen King's Pet Sematary. It also pointedly states that because of John Rimbauer's "sins," atonement had to be made."Build me to the heavens" was the house's price for that atonement. That the deaths started before the house was ever completed further substantiates the sour ground theory. The subsequent disappearances were a direct result of Ellen's bargain with the house (and the ground upon which it lay), as these victims were taken and used as builders from "the other side." The house had two distinct sides; one that was here and one which was on the other side of the veil. Those victims built from that side, as Ellen's contractors built on this side, thereby giving the house the ability to morph itself by changing hallways, floor levels, etc. by manipulating the lay of the Veil. That idea was further explained in the actual movie, "Rose Red" when you see Emory's mother coming at him through the mirror. Mirrors are oftentimes used as portals; gateways through the Veil.I did, however, have issues with this supplemental in that the movie goes out of its way to plainly document the passing of Rimbauer's partner, Posey. He passed Adam the Tom Nix hat and threw a rose to April who caught it before he hangs himself. In this work, however, those poignant details are forgotten, as if the actual body of work which this supplements was negatable. I realize that for some critics, that is true, but for a work which supports another, that is unforgivable. Of all the discrepancies and continuity errors to be found between the two works, those two details stand out the most, and pretty much kill the atmosphere built by the work. Otherwise, I found this quite informative, beautifully done, and praise-worthy considering what it attempts to do.Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to its own expectations and thereby disappointed the fans who needed this necessary back-story to feel a kinship with the house and the story that is "Rose Red."It rates a 6.4/10 from...the Fiend :.
Syl
I am disappointed because the film never explains the disappearances or the circumstances around Rose Red. I think it would have been better if they tried to convey the cause of the mysterious disappearance of April, Ellen, Sukeena, and anybody else who vanished for no reason. I wish Rose Red existed so we can visit but it's too far-fetched and it doesn't explain the paranormal around the house to the audience. I admired the actresses who played Ellen and Sukeena but I never did understand the relationship as a whole. I felt there were too many unanswered questions about the whole house in general. The house Rose Red mini-series should have answered what happened to the people trapped in the house whether by body or spirits. I was hoping for answers but I didn't get them.
