With a stand-up-to-bully message and outstanding performances from the two leads, The Rule of Jenny Pen crafts an unforgettable must-watch flick.
The Rule of Jenny Pen is a tense, claustrophobic film that sneaks up on you because of its setting. But what it boils down to is how one stops a bully. Regardless of the locale, it’s a clear message that bullies will always push to do more harm until someone or several someones step in and forcefully stop it. The viciousness is off-putting, leaving audiences in shock, which adds to their frustration and the movie’s taut scenes. With a stand-up-to-bully message and outstanding performances from the two leads, The Rule of Jenny Pen crafts an unforgettable must-watch flick.
Directed by James Ashcroft and written by Ashcroft, Eli Kent, and Owen Marshall (all of whom worked together on Coming Home in the Dark, too), the story follows a judge, Stefan Mortensen, played by Geoffrey Rush (Storm Boy, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl). After suffering a stroke, Stefan convalesces at a rest home.
There, he encounters Dave Crealy, played by John Lithgow (Conclave, Killers of the Flower Moon). Crealy is a psychopath who torments the residents unbeknownst to the staff. As Stefan tries to stop Dave, the stakes and dangers build. The Rule of Jenny Pen is an engrossing look at those who stand by or take the path of least resistance in the hopes that the bully spares them.
The Rule of Jenny Pen Has an Insidious Bully
Thanks to John Lithgow’s and Geoffrey Rush’s performances, the film captures that moment of initial shock that often freezes people up. The shock is evident when Stefan encounters Dave as he torments Stefan’s roommate. As most people view what is and isn’t acceptable according to their morality and societal rules. So, Stefan, a judge, cannot believe Dave’s actions. He’s even more gobsmacked that none of the residents, including his roommate, speak up about Dave’s actions. But sometimes, a newcomer is necessary to shake up a toxic status quo.
Thanks to Lithgow’s unnerving portrayal, one moment, audiences want to fight Dave, and the next, avoid him at all costs. The way the other residents fear speaking up is similar to so many societal situations where people fear becoming a target. Meanwhile, the faculty avoids looking any deeper into what’s happening. Dave is identical to certain people in government—a temperamental bully with power who attacks and then cries victim. Ultimately, Dave’s power is given to him by the people in the rest of the home. The Rule of Jenny Pen builds frustration and discomfort as Dave’s threat escalates.
One for the Collection
The Rule of Jenny Pen is a whirlwind of surprises and uncomfortable moments, and John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush’s performances make it impossible for audiences to look away. Aside from the awkward tension, viewers will cheer and curse as the stakes rise and the danger becomes more perilous. One moment, you think it’s a poor older man; the next, you want him destroyed. The Rule of Jenny Pen is a fantastic film that builds so much dread and atmosphere thanks to the two leads, the setting, and eerily well-timed music.
