The Skeleton Key (2005)
Drama, Horror, Mystery |.
The Skeleton Key is a American supernatural horror film directed by Iain Softley, written by Ehren Kruger, and starring Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt, Peter Sarsgaard, and Joy Bryant. The Southern Gothic narrative follows a New Orleans hospice nurse who begins a job at a Terrebonne Parish plantation home, and becomes entangled in a supernatural mystery involving the house, its former inhabitants, and Hoodoo rituals and spells that took place there.

Caroline Ellis, a hospice aide, quits her position at a nursing home and is hired as the caretaker of an isolated plantation house in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The aging matron of the house, Violet Devereaux, needs help looking after her husband Benjamin, who was mostly paralyzed by an apparent stroke. At the insistence of the family’s estate lawyer, Luke Marshall, Caroline accepts the position.

After Ben attempts to escape his room during a storm, Caroline investigates the house’s attic, where Violet said Ben suffered his stroke; she uses a skeleton key which Violet gave her. She discovers a secret room filled with ritual paraphernalia. Caroline confronts Violet, who reveals that the room used to belong to two African American servants who were employed at the house 90 years before.
Director: Iain Softley
Writer: Ehren Kruger
Stars: Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt, Peter Sarsgaard, Joy Bryant, Maxine Barnett, Fahnlohnee R. Harris
Cast:
Kate Hudson | … | Caroline Ellis |
Gena Rowlands | … | Violet Devereaux |
John Hurt | … | Ben Devereaux |
Peter Sarsgaard | … | Luke Marshall |
Joy Bryant | … | Jill |
Maxine Barnett | … | Mama Cynthia |
Fahnlohnee R. Harris | … | Hallie (as Fahnlohnee Harris) |
Marion Zinser | … | Bayou Woman |
Deneen Tyler | … | Desk Nurse |
Ann Dalrymple | … | C.N.A. |
Trula M. Marcus | … | Nurse Trula (as Trula Marcus) |
Tonya Staten | … | Nurse Audrey |
Thomas Uskali | … | Robertson Thorpe (as Tom Uskali) |
Jen Apgar | … | Madeleine Thorpe |
Forrest Landis | … | Martin Thorpe |
Jamie Lee Redmon | … | Grace Thorpe |
Ronald McCall | … | Papa Justify |
Jeryl Prescott | … | Mama Cecile (as Jeryl Prescott Sales) |
Isaach De Bankolé | … | Creole Gas Station Owner (as Isaach De Bankole) |
Christa Thorne | … | Creole Mother |
Lakrishi Kindred | … | Frail Customer |
Lawrence ‘King’ Harvey | … | Bar Man |
Mark Krasnoff | … | Pickup Driver |
Sabah | … | Luke’s Secretary |
Susannah Thorarinsson | … | Waitress in Bar |
Bill H. McKenzie | … | Mr. Talcott |
Joe Chrest | … | Paramedic |
David J. Curtis | … | Party Guest (as David Curtis) |
Tiffany Helland | … | Party Guest |
Brian Ruppert | … | Party Guest (as Bryan Ruppert) |
Philip Frazier | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
Derek Shezbie | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
Glen Andrews | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
Stafford Agee | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
Keith Frazier | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
Derrick Tabb | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
Shamarr Allen | … | Rebirth Brass Band (as Shamar Allen) |
Byron Bernard | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
Herbert Stevens | … | Rebirth Brass Band |
George Harper | … | Jazz Band |
Howard McCary | … | Jazz Band |
Kevin O’Neal | … | Jazz Band |
Ryan Porter | … | Jazz Band |
Rudy Regalado | … | Jazz Band |
Nolan Shaheed | … | Jazz Band |
Dustin Fleetwood | … | 3rd Infantry Band Member |
Roderick Harrison | … | 3rd Infantry Band Member |
Torrey McKinley | … | 3rd Infantry Band Member |
Rico E. Anderson | … | Orderly in Hospital (uncredited) |
Andreas Beckett | … | Ballroom Dancer (uncredited) |
Pauline Boudreaux | … | Party Guest (uncredited) |
Kristi Chalaire | … | Club Goer (uncredited) |
Natasha Delahunt | … | Ballroom Dancer (uncredited) |
James J. Duhon | … | Club Goer (uncredited) |
Ianello Garcino | … | Mama Cecile’s Lyncher (uncredited) |
Justin Groetsch | … | Club Goer (uncredited) |
Michael Tyler Henry | … | Older Martin (uncredited) |
Korey L. Jarmon | … | Club Goer (uncredited) |
David Jensen | … | Country Doctor (uncredited) |
Patricia Lauriet | … | Ballroom Dancer (uncredited) |
Karen Kaia Livers | … | Preacher (uncredited) |
Melissa Reneé Martin | … | Caviar Eating Guest (uncredited) |
Natalie McNeil | … | Cigar Smoking Party Guest (uncredited) |
Piper Moretti | … | 1930s Party Guest (uncredited) |
Sarah Pettycrew Kania | … | Ballroom Dancer (uncredited) |
Karen Pritchett | … | Bar Patron (uncredited) |
Adam Rouillier | … | Vigilante (uncredited) |
Ross Rouillier | … | Vigilante (uncredited) |
Joel Schmidt | … | Terrebonne Sheriff (uncredited) |
Deanna Dylan Scott | … | 1920’s Party Dancer (uncredited) |
L.J. Stevens | … | Older Grace (uncredited) |
Michael Wozniak | … | Lynch Group Leader (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia