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Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Maria Bello, Timothy Hutton, Charles S. Dutton ... see more see more... , Len Cariou , Joan Heney , John Dunn-Hill , Vlasta Vrana , Gillian Ferrabee

From writer/director David Koepp (Stir of Echoes) comes this filmed adaptation of Stephen King's novella Secret Window, Secret Garden, one of four stories in the collection Four Past Midnight. Johnny ... read more read more...Depp stars as Mort Rainey, a recently divorced author who decides to take some time off at his cottage. Unfortunately for Rainey, John Shooter (John Turturro), an unbalanced wannabe writer, tracks him down, claiming that Rainey plagiarized his work. Also starring Maria Bello, Charles S. Dutton, and Timothy Hutton, Secret Window is the second story from Four Past Midnight to be adapted as a film, the first being 1995's made-for-television The Langoliers. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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69% liked it

401,114 ratings

Critics

46% liked it

159 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: David Koepp

Release Date: March 12, 2004

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DVD Release Date: June 22, 2004

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Stats: 25,363 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (25,363)

  • 76Majikat
    February 24, 2012
    76Majikat
    Based on a short story of Stephen King's, this is a mind twister of a film with the kind of performance that Johnny Depp can pull off. Watching this now, it does seem much more predictable than when it was released, perhaps because a lot of similar themed films have been made s... read moreince, easy watching though! My favourite role of John Turturro's.
  • cosmo313
    December 17, 2011
    cosmo313
    Based on a novella by Stephen King, this is a fun little story about a writer (big surprise) named Mort Rainey who, while trying to work at his secluded lakeside cabin, is menaced by a mysterious stranger named John Shooter who claims that Mort palgiarized his work, and has no pr... read moreoblems with resorting to psychotic behavior in order to see that he gets justice.

    You may or may not have guessed this, but this film has a twist ending. And while the twist isn't bad, I think the film could have been far more interesting had there been no twist. For that to work though, other parts of the story would have to be rewritten and that sort of thing, but what I'm getting at is that, while the film isn't that bad, it's not really all that great either, and it doesn't really hold up to much scrutiny or repeat viewings.

    As a single watch though, it's passable. I enjoyed seeing the stakes get raised between Mort and John, and the film does have a good sense of mood, tone, and atmosphere, and a pretty decent pace. It just gets to me because many films that contain twists are usually full of holes, and I get the feeling that the novella probably doesn't have these sort of problems, mostly because of the medium and whatnot.

    All in all though, I give this film a lot of credit because, even though the story is nothing fresh and it isn't infallible, it is quite fun, watchble, and entertaining. Philip Glass provides a pretty nice score, and Koepp seems to be having fun as the helmer. Plus, there's a good cast here, even though it would be better seeing them here with some stronger material.

    Still though, Depp is good as this sort of thing, and his character is rather likeable (mostly), and Turturro, though maybe phoning it in, is also good at this sort of thing as well. I just wish that Dutton had more screentime and stuff to do, and that more could have been done with Hutton and Bello. What time these three do have is okay, but Hutton probably has the shortest end of the stick (they probably could have gotten a lesser known and it would have been better). Hutton isn't bad, but he feels unnecessary.

    Honestly, I should dock this one a half star, but I can't really bring myself to do it because the good outweigh the bad.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Unexpected twists and turns. Johnny Depp is fantatsic!
  • fb100000040220993
    May 2, 2011
    fb100000040220993
    Johnny Depp's portrayal of Mort Rainey and his descent into madness is outstanding. It's almost enough to climb out of the plot holes. In fact, he so good in his role, you could almost get confused and think this was a good movie. It isn't. The story is paper thin and despite... read more it's best efforts, it's actually quite predictable. Worth checking out for Depp's performance, otherwise avoid.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    February 28, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Secret Window is a very interesting Horror Thriller. Starring Johnny Depp, the film is about a writer who gets accused of plagiarism by a strange man, whom he has never seen before in his life. Johnny Depp gives a very interesting performance, and quite frankly one of his best to... read moreo. Depp is a master at playing various roles, and he is able to pull off anything marvelously well. Secret Window is proof of that. Secret Window blends elements of Thriller and Horror film into one package. One moment you're jumping out of your seat, the next you're wondering what will happen next. This is a film that got unfair reviews, and in my opinion; it shouldn't have. Yes the film has flaws, but for the most part, Secret Window is a well crafted horror thriller film that has terrific psychological elements to make you think twice about what really going on. I found that John Turturro gave a great performance as well. He really does diversity in his role as John Shooter. Secret Window is a fine little film to waste your time, it's a well acted film with a good enough story to keep you entertained. Secret Window will please fans of Thriller and Horror films that are looking for a film with good enough suspense building. Secret Window is that film. It's not a perfect film, but it's a fairly good one.
  • BEACHBUNNI
    February 19, 2011
    BEACHBUNNI
    This movie is based on a Stephen King novel and stars Johnny Depp (a fave actor of mine) and John Turturro. if you're a writer or a would be writer, this movie will have an added bonus. Johnny Depp's character, Mort Rainey, is a successful writer struggling with a divorce, when... read more a sociopathic stranger, John Shooter, shows up claiming that Rainey stole his story. Shooter demands credit, and has no issue killing anyone in his way until he gets everything he wants.Real edge of the seat stuff i loved it~! This story has a fantastic surprise ending, great acting, and a real creepiness~!!!!!!!!
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 29, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    B
  • ythelastman89
    November 16, 2009
    ythelastman89
    It's actually one of the best Stephen King stories in the fact that it's actually different than his other typical works. He writes way better stories when they're one person centric, you just get more of a connection with the character and don't feel so jerked around. Johnny Dep... read morep obviously did a great job like always with his role and was able to handle the hysteria quite well. It's literally this story of someone going more and more insane, finally realizing that he's his own worst enemy. I also loved the ending, it was different from the original story, but worked better because it was so ruthless.
  • SirPant
    September 22, 2009
    SirPant
    I loved the King book that it was taken from but unfortunately this is a weak adaptation.
  • matertenebraum
    July 27, 2009
    matertenebraum
    I have always wanted to see Secret Window; when a movie has such varied and mixed reviews it is always intriguing to see the movie itself and find out which side of the line you sit on. I recently viewed Secret Window with a friend from the safety of my own home. It's only a shor... read moret movie, which in itself has appeal, and if it were any longer the suspense element would have most definitely fizzled away. The first hour or so nothing much happens, the story line just plods along and you wait and watch to look for anything you have missed and wonder whether the story is going to go anywhere. The first portion of the movie is not a complete failure, however, as Johnny Depp once again shines in his role and keeps the viewer somewhat interested. Once the twist kicks in, the movie takes the viewer to a whole new level. My friend and I were simply intrigued in horror. It simply is brilliant and I would recommend this to anyone who loves being taken on a journey through their imagination.

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Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
April 1, 2004
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Mr. Depp demonstrates once again that he never disappoints as an actor, even in something as fraudulent as Secret Window. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
March 21, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The story is so basic that it makes a fine template for an exercise in style, and Koepp layers on the details with great relish. Full Review

Rex Reed
March 18, 2004
Rex Reed, New York Observer

Has no story, no ending and no redeeming value. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
March 16, 2004
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

The plot certainly has possibilities, but far too many of them are botched by writer-director David Koepp, who's a better writer than director. Full Review

Dennis Lim
March 16, 2004
Dennis Lim, Village Voice

Adapted from a Stephen King novella, the film lurches tiredly through the author's favorite masochistic-narcissistic fantasy, subjecting a woebegone writer to a gauntlet of abuse. Full Review

Richard Roeper
March 15, 2004
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[I]t's so refreshing to see a thriller that doesn't compromise itself with a pat Hollywood ending. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
March 12, 2004
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Despite Koepp's control of suspense and Depp's fully fleshed, if fragmented, hero, this Window ultimately feels like one most of us have climbed through before.

Desson Thomson
March 12, 2004
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

[Koepp's] up against an insurmountable problem -- lifeless source material. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
March 12, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

An eerie, playful thriller and an all-around entertaining time at the movies. Full Review

Roger Moore
March 12, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

All the corn pone in Mississippi can't make this go down like anything but year-old grits. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Mort Rainey: [voiceover] I know I can do it, Todd Downey said, helping himself to another ear of corn from the steaming bowl. I'm sure that in time, every bit of her will be gone and her death will be a mystery... even to me.
    • Mort Rainey: My wife, let's just leave her out of this.
    • John Shooter: Would if I could, but I'm starting to think you ain't gonna leave me that option.
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Secret Window Trivia

  • The movie where Johnny Depp is a writer who is going a little crazy.....(a hint......--->it's a secret!)  Answer »
  • What Actor/Actress has starred in these movies? - Benny and Joon - Secret Window - Nightmare on Elm Street - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Finding Neverland - Edward Scissorhands  Answer »
  • What short story by Stepen King was the movie "Secret Window" starring Johnny Depp based on?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Johnny Depp play a psychotic writer?  Answer »
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