31 Days 31 Horror Movies! Day Fifteen: The Gift (2000)

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The Gift (2000)

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Pop quiz, hot shot! Name one movie where Keanu Reeves acted well...besides Bill & Ted. If you answered The Gift then you are correct. Reeves co-stars as a wife-beating redneck who is sent to prison for murdering a young and attractive socialite played by Katie Holmes - who's naked in this movie by the way. But he might be innocent because a psychic named Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) is getting visions of another killer.

The Gift is directed by Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Spider-Man) and features his classic style of horror, but the fascinating thing is that the script is written by actor Billy Bob Thorton who claimed that the story is based on his mother's experience as a psychic. What a strange upbringing he must have had.

The film does have its flaws. The pace is a bit off and the reveal is very disappointing. But this is a Sam Raimi horror movie, so you're watching it for the thrills and it does deliver. You'll jump up from your seat a few times. Plus, it's shocking to see Keanu Reeves act well. He's quite terrifying as the angry redneck. Which is why it's so disappointing that he isn't the actual villain in the story.