Horror Movie Review: The Rule of Jenny Pen (2024)

Far from a conventional horror film, but horrifying in so many ways, The Rule of Jenny Pen is a film that stays with you long after it ends. Even as the tension that will have been felt throughout finally releases.

Written by James Ashcroft and Eli Kent, directed by the former, and based on Owen Marshall’s short story of the same name. The Rule of Jenny Pen can best be described as a psychological horror and thriller. It stars John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush.

The latter is an elderly judge named Stefan who suffers a catastrophic stroke while passing judgement in court (an incredible opening scene). Left partially immobile, and with no family to care for him, he is sent to a care home to recuperate.

Stefan is far from happy to be in this place, least of all because he sees himself above it and thinks he is only there temporarily.

Annoyed that he has to share a room with George Henare’s Tony, a retired rugby star, annoyed that the staff treat him like a child at times, and unwilling to take part in activities or interact with other residents of the care home. In his eyes, they all want to break his spirit, and he won’t let them, even if it means denying the reality of his situation and the reality of his failing health.

This gets the attention of one particular resident though, a man named Dave (John Lithgow) who roams the halls with his ‘therapy hand puppet’ Jenny Pen.

To the staff, he’s nothing but a confused and harmless man, but when their backs are turned, he reveals his true nature. A monstrous bully, who likes nothing more than to abuse the other residents and force them to submit to Jenny Pen’s rule. Tony was his favourite to go after, until now, but Stefan is not an easy man to break, and to stay in control, Dave’s reign of terror has to ramp up.

Even writing that synopsis was tense. If there is one thing The Rule of Jenny Pen will be remembered for, it is the tension within it. From the moment Stefan suffers his stroke to the moment the end credits roll, its pure edge of the seat stuff and is testament to the writing, which keeps the viewer so engaged.

So much of what makes this film so horrifying is the reality of it all. Taking a bold look at failing care systems and the unique challenges that come with residential care homes. However, it’s not an accusatory jab, choosing to show the colder and darker side of things, but balancing it with moments of levity that show that places and situations like this can be forces for good. We all simply hope that if we do ever end up in a place like this, there isn’t a Dave there.

What an absolute git and credit to John Lithgow for making him such a villain that you desperately want to see him get this comeuppance. A racist and manipulate bully with cruel intentions for everyone, he is the star, and lights up the screen in every way, even if you desperately hoping you never see him again.

His chemistry with Geoffrey Rush is off the charts, who delivers some of his finest acting late in the film. No spoilers but how he portrays his spirit slowly, but surely being broken, is incredible. It is a captivating film, one that embodies the word ‘uncomfortable’, but one that everyone who appreciates thought-provoking horror should see.