Review: A Cure for Wellness

How the director of The Lone Ranger was allowed to release a film this weird from a major studio is a thing of wonder? Gore Verbinski's return to horror after The Ring proves once again that he has a special gift with strange visuals. A Cure For Wellness is often a treat for the eyes. The screenplay is a mess however rendering a striking vision into a bloated mess.

Verbinski co-wrote the film with Justin Haythe, who he teamed up with for The Lone Ranger. The film follows Mr. Lockhart (Dane DeHann) as he travels to a hospital or spa in the mountains to find the CEO of the company he works for. The CEO has sent a letter explaining that he won't be returning to the sickness of the company. The structure resemble Conrad's Heart of Darkness or perhaps Apocalypse Now in some sense.

Upon arriving, Lockhart learns of the healing powers of the local water. He also witnesses a lot of strange behavior from both the guests and caretakers. Jason Isaacs' Dr. Heinreich Volmer soon begins to trap Lockhart and the film's central mystery begins.

A Cure For Wellness very quickly begins to resemble films that have become before it. For all its striking visuals, the film borrows heavily. The vocal theme for a young girl (Mia Goth) at the Volmer Institute is not a subtle allusion to the haunting theme from Rosemary's Baby. The plot feels like Shutter Island at many times.

Underneath the borrowed elements there does seem to be a social critique wanting to come out. The film hints at a societal sickness in modern times but never realizes it fully. A second pass in the editing room may have cut a leaner and more effective film.  As it sits, the film takes too long to build and reveals too little for such running time.

Nevertheless, the film is often bonkers and quite watchable. While this is a film that narratively never trusts its audience, the film literally tells us visiting hours are over as the whole damn thing is burning to the ground, it nevertheless has charms. Verbinski throws so many crazy elements in the film including giant eels, rooms full of bodies in tanks of water, incest and some effective gore. The film may not make sense at times but it rarely feels like a compromised effort. The film is a testament to unchecked whims when an established studio director is allowed to give into his nightmares.

3/5