70
Movieline by Michelle Orange
There is enough lurid, ludicrous subtext in the material to keep fans of such things happy. As trash, this is top of the line.
Case 39
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- Canada,
- United States
- 2009
- · 109m
Director
Christian Alvart
Cast
Renée Zellweger,
Jodelle Ferland,
Ian McShane,
Bradley Cooper,
Adrian Lester,
Kerry O'Malley,
Callum Keith Rennie,
Cynthia Stevenson,
Alexander Conti,
Philip Cabrita
Genre
Horror,
Mystery,
Thriller
In her many years as a social worker, Emily Jenkins believes she has seen it all, until she meets 10-year-old Lilith and the girl's cruel parents. Emily's worst fears are confirmed when the parents try to harm the child, and so Emily assumes custody of Lilith while she looks for a foster family. However, Emily soon finds that dark forces surround the seemingly innocent girl, and the more she tries to protect Lilith, the more horrors she encounters.
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What are critics saying?
50
The New York Times by Jeannette Catsoulis
Radiating a distinctly retro vibe, this throwaway thriller from the German director Christian Alvart tosses a bone to Renée Zellweger, who chews it to a nub as Emily Jenkins, a harried social worker.
40
Empire by Ian Nathan
Manages to be both very silly and highly forgettable. Only for those who collect killer-children films.
38
Boston Globe by Ethan Gilsdorf
Introduce the supernatural, and anything goes. Here, everything does. And that's a problem no one can solve. At least it wasn't called "Case 666."
38
Orlando Sentinel by Roger Moore
It's only a movie, and not a remotely effective one. And for Zellweger, whose "Miss Potter" and "Appaloosa" were barely seen, with "Leatherheads" and "New in Town" further deflating her A-list clout, that's the real shame here.
30
L.A. Weekly by Chuck Wilson
Has there ever been a more inept trio of big-city caseworkers? Go ahead, Lilith. Unleash the hounds.
30
The Hollywood Reporter by Frank Scheck
Director Christian Alvart ("Pandorum") is unable to invest much stylization into the proceedings, and Ray Wright's by-the-book screenplay only serves as a reminder of the innumerable demon-child movies that have preceded this one.
30
Los Angeles Times by Robert Abele
One can't help experiencing the same dread about the exhausting flood of lackluster horror films that swamp our screens and, as Case 39 unfolds, realizing we're enduring one more.
30
Boxoffice Magazine by Pam Grady
A mess of a horror movie that spent several years sitting on a shelf and should have remained there living up to its fullest potential as a dust magnet.
30
Variety by Jordan Mintzer
This ludicrous outing from helmer Christian Alvart ("Pandorum") and scribe Ray Wright ("The Crazies") takes its psycho-satanic babble much too seriously, and should elicit more laughs than frights.
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