Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
    Battlefield 6 Classes - Support trailer image

    Battlefield 6 Really Wants You To Play Support (But Knows You Won’t)

    07/31/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘The Turning’ is just Bland

REVIEW: ‘The Turning’ is just Bland

Nicolas SotoBy Nicolas Soto01/25/20204 Mins ReadUpdated:04/09/2023
The Turning - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Turning - But Why Tho

It’s quite common now for films to be adapted from previous works of literature. Though it can be taken as unoriginal, adaptations can often offer new perspectives or even increment the legacy of the original work. One of the works that’s had quite a few adaptions is Henry James’ novella The Turn of the Screw. It tells the tale of a governess who has been hired by a man to take care of his niece and nephew after the death of their parents. It wasn’t until college that I read the story and immediately loved it. The elements of mystery and horror blended into such an intricate story was incredible to read for the first time. I was very excited to see that a new adaption of this novella, titled The Turning, was being released this year.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The Turning, which is directed by Floria Sigismondi, sees Kate (Mackenzie Davis) being tasked to take care of Flora (Brooklynn Prince), a young orphan who lives in an estate in Maine. This is a major opportunity for Kate as she’s looking for a career change from being a classroom teacher. Things with Flora seems to be going well until her older brother, Miles (Finn Wolfhard), comes home after getting expelled from his boarding school. Kate starts to go through unexplainable situations, which drive a wedge between her and the children. She soon realizes that both the children and the house are harboring dark secrets that will test her in ways that she never imagined.

Before talking about specific story elements, I have to give praise to the use of mirrors and spectral figures throughout the film. Going into the film, I expected it to be full of jump scares since that seems to be what most mainstream horror films rely on for scares. However, several scenes that use mirrors and spectral figures were genuinely terrifying. For instance, the first night that Kate is at the estate, she’s getting Flora ready for bed. As she goes to close the window, a figure’s reflection is shown. Up to that point in the film, there weren’t any real moments that scared me but seeing that reflection definitely did. The scare was completely unpredictable, as there was no build-up, which only made it much scarier.

As with any adaptation, there were some changes from the plot of the novella in The Turning. Besides some character traits being changed, one of the major changes is the time that the plot of the film takes place. The film takes place during 1994, which is established through a reporter breaking the news about Kurt Kobain’s death. The time change affects the fact that Kate isn’t a governess but rather a school teacher. However, I don’t understand the real significance of establishing what time the plot takes place in. If it had any other effects that made a major impact on the plot, I would understand. It lacks any real substance in the film, which makes it out to be a lackluster aspect.

I understand that films who depict acts and situations of fiction ask its audience to suspend its disbelief, but it’s hard to imagine any adult putting up with any of this. To be more specific, I’m referring to what Kate has to put up with the kids, not the supernatural and horror elements. The lack of respect that Miles shows to Kate is so hard to watch that I can’t imagine how she puts up with it. The multiple scares that she goes through would’ve easily driven anyone out of the house. I understand that all of this is the point of her mental state descending, but showing it in different ways would have made the story much more convincing rather than focusing on why it seems illogical.

After being disappointed by another big mainstream horror film earlier this month, I hoped The Turning would make up for that. However, the story is rather bland, even with its incredible scares. Adapting a work that already has several adaptations can be difficult, making me not want to judge this film too harshly. However, there also has to be a sense that The Turning was willing to add new elements that made it stand out from the rest. The ending left me more puzzled than excited, which ultimately is the effect of a lackluster film.

The Turning is available now on VOD. 

The Turning
  • 5/10
    Rating - 5/10
5/10

TL;DR

the overall story is rather bland, even with its incredible scares

  • Watch Now with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleINTERVIEW: Stack Up, Growth, and Gaming with Stephen Machuga
Next Article REVIEW: Middlewest, Issue #14
Nicolas Soto

Nicolas is a pop culture critic, focusing primarily on film, tv. anime, and manga. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University, which shapes the way he analyzes his work. Twitter and Instagram: @brainstormer609

Related Posts

Lurker promotional still from MUBI

REVIEW: ‘Lurker’ Probes The Intoxication Of Fame

08/19/2025
The Knife (2025) promotional still
7.0

REVIEW: ‘The Knife’ Is Simple And Too Much At The Same Time

08/17/2025
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

08/16/2025
Fixed promotional key art from Netflix Animation
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Fixed’ Is Top-Notch Animation But Bottom Of The Barrel Comedy

08/15/2025
Denzel Washington Highest 2 Lowest
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Has A Ton Of Fun Missing It’s Own Points

08/15/2025
Nobody 2 promotional still with Bob Odenkirk
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Nobody 2’ Is A Killer Sequel

08/14/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here