The psychological horror film has been called ‘disturbing’ and ‘unhinged’
A hidden gem of a psychological horror film, starring an Oscar-winning actor and endorsed by the master of horror himself, Stephen King, is now available to stream for free.
The Rule of Jenny Pen has left viewers with mixed emotions as they described it as both «disturbing» and «unhinged».
The film tells the story of Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Geoffrey Rush, who is forced into early retirement at an assisted living facility after suffering a stroke in court.
However, his temporary stay soon turns into a desperate fight for survival when he meets Dave Crealy (John Lithgow), a deeply troubled individual who uses a creepy plastic puppet named Jenny Pen to torment his fellow residents.
READ MORE: Stephen King’s favourite TV show of the 21st century is on Netflix – but it’s not Stranger ThingsREAD MORE: Stephen King praises Netflix horror with ‘amazing ending’ as it hits number one
As Stefan’s health deteriorates, his chances of escape dwindle, and he finds himself at the mercy of Dave’s abuse, also witnessing the horrific mistreatment of his friend and roommate through the dementia doll, reports Bristol Live.
With a 76% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the horror film has garnered significant acclaim, including praise from legendary horror author Stephen King. He gushed: «I watched one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. it’s called The Rule of Jenny Pen, and I urge you to watch it.»
Meanwhile, another film enthusiast noted: «The primary source of enjoyment from The Rule of Jenny Pen comes from watching two veteran scene-stealers like John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush go at each other.
«Lithgow has portrayed memorable psychopaths before (Raising Cain, Showtime’s Dexter), but never one like Dave Crealy. Malicious and vicious, he’s a vengeful id with no restraint or remorse.»
A third viewer was deeply affected by the film, remarking: «This one struck a nerve with me. Performances were amazing. The feeling of dread just did not let up. It kept tapping at my very real fears of losing my sanity and aging to the point I can’t care for myself.»
The 2024 film is an adaptation of the Owen Marshall short story by the same name. It is gaining momentum following its recent drop on dedicated horror and thriller streaming platform Shudder. The platform offers new customers a free seven-day trial meaning the film can be viewed without charge.
The Rule of Jenny Pen is now streaming on Shudder
