A rare breed of thrillers deliver more than the average movie, and deserve greater box office business and word of mouth than they earn. Skeleton Key, staring Kate “Don’t call me Goldie Hawn” Hudson is an excellent example.

Set in the backwoods of New Orleans, the story follows a hospice care worker who develops close – breaching on enmeshed – ties with dying patients. Frustrated with hospital procedures, she responds to an ad for the resident based care of a terminal stroke victim. The clients accept her with as much reluctance as she approaches the job. Much of her unease comes from the strange, plantation home and odd, and some say unnatural, manner of the patient’s wife.

And then there’s the matter of a key that opens every door in the house, save one. But, that’s delving a bit far into the plot. And that’s exactly why Skeleton works: it draws the viewer inside the story, and carries them along, like a good thriller can.

What works about this movie:
1) Cast – the right actors for each role, and all did their job well.
2) Story – a unique take on an old voodoo legend.
3) Plot – well executed and realized.

What needs an improvement:
1) There’s subtleties about the characters that could stand further visual clarification. A few insights about the story hit one in the parking lot of the theater, or the ride home, instead of as they unfold on screen. Nothing so glaring that it makes the movie less enjoyable, however.

Verdict: As Skeleton Key is disappearing from theaters right now, buy the DVD in a few months.