Too many bad films have made far too much money in 2003, mostly due to shrewd marketing campaigns. The Matrix Revolutions is a prime example: overhyped to rake in as many ticket sales as possible in the opening week or two, then whisked away, only to reappear on DVD a few months later. Gothika, on the other hand, while delivered to the theaters with comparatively little fanfare, delivers quite a lot.

Gothika presents an interesting premise: What if the tables are turned and a psychiatrist suddenly becomes a patient? Trouble is, that premise is one of many implausible things that happen in Gothika. Here the psychiatrist not only becomes a patient, but is institutionalized among her former patients in the same hospital where she worked, and is treated by a doctor who she may or may not have had an affair with. It’s enough to build a story around, which is what the filmmakers do here, but it’s doubtful that much or any of this would happen today. But if you can overlook things like that, Gothika has a few other eyebrow-raisers in store -- you’ll likely find yourself immersed in an otherwise well-realized horror film that delivers its fair share of goosebumps and chills.

Halle Berry plays Dr. Miranda Richardson, a respected psychiatrist who crashes her car, then wakes up three days later to find out that she’s been accused of the brutal murder of her husband. On a locked ward and with blanks in her memory, Richardson finds herself being treated by her former coworkers with the same techniques that she used to use on her patients, all the while trying to piece together her husband’s murder. Any more and I’d give away too much.

I liked Gothika for four reasons. First, the premise is interesting, however implausible. Second, the film has captivating style and flair. From cinematography to editing to direction, Gothika is exceptionally well-made, despite some holes in the storyline. Third, Halle Berry is a splendid actress. Monster’s Ball proved that she could act; Gothika proves that she can carry an entire film by herself. She’s in nearly every scene, and that’s not a bad thing. Fourth and probably most important, Gothika is genuinely creepy and scary; that’s rare in today’s horror films, which rely on blood, guts, and violence instead of mood and atmosphere, as Gothika does.

While it may not be a great horror film, Gothika is a good one. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll want to check it out.

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