Sister, Sister

This bizarre little gothic chiller was initially interesting for the fact that it was co-written by Joel Cohen (Blood Simple, Raising Arizona). But, except for one larger-than-life mother-in-law, this isn't much more than a competent thriller, with more twists than usual. The plot centers on two sisters who share a dark secret from the past: they killed a boy who tried to rape the elder sister. When a young drifter (Eric Stoltz of Mask fame) shows up at the hotel they're running, dogs and people start dying. It's evident at least a half-hour before the end of the film who the killer is, but the final denouement is handled well. Stylishly shot, and reasonably well acted, Sister, Sister is not on the level of Psycho, for example; but it is considerably better than Friday the 13th, Part Whatever. Recommended.