The Hole (2001)

Review by Adam C. Thomas



Starring Thora Birch and Kiera Knightley
Directed by Nick Hamm
The Hole is a movie about a group of teenagers at a private school in England who decide to forego the end of semester field trip to Wales and instead spend a weekend in an old abandoned military bunker. The story is told from Elizabeth’s (Birch) point of view, as she recalls the events that led to the demise of three of the four teenagers.
The movie starts with Elizabeth wandering back into the school, a bloody, warped mess. After she gets treatment, she starts therapy and begins to tell the story of exactly what happened and why they four were locked down there much longer than the anticipated three days.
It’s a very tight psychological thriller, with many twists and turns throughout. It really keeps you glued to it as you try and figure out exactly what happened. You get one story, and then that is all shot to pieces, and the real story begins to unfold.
I really wasn’t expecting it to be a good movie, and I have to admit I was expecting cheesy horror movie cliches throughout. What I got, instead, was a well written, well thought out story about the lengths to which some people are willing to go to get attention. The ending really took me by surprise, and was completely unexpected.
All in all, I’d say this movie is a definite watch, possibly a purchase if you see it in store. I give this movie a 9 out of 10.