13 Gantry Row

Story Line: Ambitious, successful Peter Carter (Adam) is talked by his wife Julie (Gibney) into buying a large old house in considerable disrepair. The renovation strains Peter's bank account--and his mind: the place once housed a serial killer whose spirit breaks free of the crumbling walls to possess him.

Bottom Line: Made for Australian TV, this ponderous but noteworthy thriller represents yet another triumph of style over substance. Millar's muscular direction is obviously intended to prevent viewers from realizing that virtually nothing happens during the film's first hour. Her scene compositions are unusually complex and occasionally innovative (one shot is taken from inside a wood-burning stove), and she's equally fastidious about set lighting and camera movements. This isn't mere showboating; it's a way to keep viewers engaged while the suspense slowly ramps up. Gibney is exceptionally good, but the flashier part is Adam's, and he handles it well. Thematically, Millar's picture resembles The Shining, and pointing that out should help you secure rentals. --Ed Hulse