Nicole Kidman plays Grace, a strong-willed woman whose sole purpose is protecting her children. She lives alone in a mansion and keeps the inside in total darkness to keep the children from the sun. They’re photosensitive, and any sunlight, she contends, will make them sick and then kill them. The house is run under her order, and she has rules for the way that everyone should conduct himself or herself. It’s in this darkened house that children begin to encounter what seem to be ghosts, and since no one can run outside, they’re trapped inside this self-made prison.

The Others is written and directed by Alejandro Amenabar. I’ve never seen anything else by him, but I’m sure he’s a talent to watch out for. Many will compare this to The Sixth Sense (for obvious reasons when you see the film), but Amenabar is no copycat. He’s crafted a tight, suspenseful, and intriguing story, and he directed it with methodical precision. Some may find this film a tad slow -- it does move at quite a somber pace -- but that’s because Amenabar is leading the audience to a payoff. Once you’re there, you’ll realize just why he did it the way he did. Helping Amenabar all along the way is Kidman, who delivers a knockout performance.