“The Rule of Jenny Pen” follows a judge who is recovering from a stroke at an assisted living facility, as he encounters a reckless patient who uses a hand puppet to abuse fellow residents.
The first half of “The Rule of Jenny Pen” sets the stage without revealing too much. The central two characters seemingly have little to no connection early on, but this gradually builds. The film doesn’t force its central storyline, instead taking time to develop a variety of characters. This patient approach allows for meaningful callbacks and richer arcs later on.
Performances That Carry the Story
“The Rule of Jenny Pen” thrives on the performances of Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. Rush plays Stefan Mortensen as a more restrained, intellectual figure while still expressing deep emotion in subtle ways. Lithgow, as Dave Crealy, leans into an over-the-top blend of wild, goofy, and unsettling – turning moments of levity into pure creep factor. Nathaniel Lees also stands out as Sonny Ausage, a fully realized side character whose presence leaves a lasting impression.
One of the film’s most intriguing elements is its setting. An assisted-living facility is often seen as a calm, non-threatening environment, but here it becomes a source of unease. Memory loss and other ailments blur the line between fantasy and reality, creating a persistent uncertainty that lingers throughout the runtime.
Horror Rooted in Aging
The scariest moments come from the fear of aging. You can’t defend yourself the way you once could. The movie captures this perfectly, as characters are terrorized by Lithgow and Jenny Pen without anyone to protect them. Rush’s character, in particular, faces a range of emotions as he confronts changes within himself. While Jenny Pen is the central hook, this theme proves even more compelling.
The film’s sound design and score also stand out. What plays out onscreen might feel restrained compared to typical horror, but the booming music amplifies the tension. The score even injects moments of comedy, underscoring that the movie doesn’t always take itself too seriously.
Losing Focus in the Second Half
Past the midway point, “The Rule of Jenny Pen” begins to lose steam. It abandons the unsettling character work that made it so gripping in favor of standard horror tropes. Instead of focusing on Lithgow’s sadistic presence, the film leans into generic scares that don’t fit the story’s strengths. At over two hours, it feels bloated, with several scenes that could have been cut entirely.
“The Rule of Jenny Pen” is at times unconventional and engaging, but too often loses sight of what makes it unique. Strong performances from Rush and Lithgow elevate the material, yet the film still stumbles in its second half – ending as a missed opportunity.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
