Winchester

Supposedly “inspired by actual events,” this Gothic ghost story revolves around widowed Sarah Lockwood Winchester (Helen Mirren), inheritor of a vast fortune from her husband, whose family founded Winchester Repeating Arms. From 1864 until her death in 1922, Sarah supervised construction of an elaborate estate in San Jose, CA, a project reputedly instigated by a New England seer to delay her own demise and, perhaps, calm the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. Deeply superstitious, Sarah went each night to her séance room where spirits guided her to design new spaces: doors leading to sheer drops and other architectural oddities. Sarah’s construction crew adored her; many were paid triple wages to insure their loyalty. As part of a power struggle within the Winchester company, reclusive Sarah agreed to a psychiatric assessment that was administered by laudanum-addicted Dr. Eric Price (Jason Clarke), who was bribed to declare her mentally unfit. Sketchily written and directed by Australian twin brothers Michael and Peter Spierig, Winchester is a cinematic misfire, utterly lacking in tension and suspense. Optional, at best. (S. Granger)