Henry James’s *The Turn of the Screw*, recognized as a foundational work in Gothic horror, inspired what many consider a classic of cinematic terror, *The Innocents* (1961). Naturally, news of another adaptation brings with it apprehension, since replicating the original film's quality seems like an insurmountable challenge. So, does *The Turning* measure up? The answer is no; this film only reinforces those initial worries about a new version. I won’t deny that the movie establishes a Gothic atmosphere rooted in its era, boasting beautiful cinematography focused on the house, the estate, and the looming sense of dread it casts over the new tenant. However, a decent performance and an initially promising start aren't enough to rescue the film from a confused and uninspired script. The basic story remains (though inexplicably set in the 90s), with a young caretaker hired at the decaying Bly mansion—a home to two children, Miles and Flora, and a governess. After a short time there, the caretaker begins experiencing supernatural events. However, unlike the original film, this new version lacks the same ambiguity regarding the existence of frightening phenomena; it doesn't employ psychological terror effectively, seeming to believe itself more clever than it actually is. The film introduces some intriguing concepts but lets them devolve into tired genre tropes like jump scares. Aside from a few unsettling moments, the movie simply fails to be scary. A significant problem lies in the use of special effects for the ghosts, which undermines any fear that simplicity might have created and renders their appearances ineffective. Given how infrequent these appearances are and how underdeveloped the characters are, the film's pacing also suffers; it feels drawn out, particularly in the middle section where little happens and audience engagement begins to wane. I’ve never seen a more pretentious ending in cinema—one that lacks any connection or logical sense and ultimately undermines everything that came before. It wasn’t an earned conclusion; just a clumsy attempt to mimic the ambiguity of the original, serving as confirmation that my time had been wasted on this confusing narrative. Overall, *The Turning* isn't worth watching. If it weren't for its beautiful cinematography, well-crafted atmosphere, some respectable performances, and evident effort in production, it would barely deserve a single star.

Source on TMDB