By Robert Scucci | Published 18 seconds ago

Sometimes, a psychological horror film has the perfect cast, but not the best screenplay in place to make the most of their talent. 2005’s Hide and Seek falls into this unfortunate category, as Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning truly bring their A-game through their tense performances fraught with frenetic and paranoid energy in the face of some unknown source of terror.

I can’t even fault Hide and Seek for being poorly produced despite the film’s alleged budgetary restrictions ($25 million is nothing to scoff at) because the cinematography is top-notch, and effectively ramps up the suspense before things start to fall apart in the third act.

I’m reminded of an industry phrase I learned while working with various audio engineers on musical projects over the years in regard to high-level production and talent when it’s applied to mediocre songwriting that I think applies to Hide and Seek. That is, you can polish a turd all you want, but it’s still a piece of crap.

Watch Out For Charlie

Hide and Seek introduces us to Dr. David Callaway (Robert De Niro), a psychologist who needs a fresh start with his daughter, Emily (Dakota Fanning), after his wife, Allison’s (Amy Irving), suicide. Moving to upstate New York, David unpacks his belongings in his study, and begins to piece his life back together. Spending his evenings listening to music and writing in his journal so he could make sense of the recent tragedy he and Emily endured, it seems like David is doing his very best to let his daughter have a normal life after her mother’s horrific passing.

Adequately Acted, But Fails To Stick The Landing

Remember when I said that Hide and Seek is contrived and generic, but carried well by its talent? I stand by my claim because Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning convincingly work through the premise, even if the screenplay leads their characters to a painfully obvious conclusion and revelation. The “twist” ending aspires to be The Sixth Sense, but we end up getting a derivative reveal that will leave you disappointed if you’re a frequent flyer on Psychological Horror Airlines.

Watching Hide and Seek

Is Hide and Seek deserving of a 13 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes? Not by a longshot. If anything, I’d consider this film to be a mid-tier and entry-level psychological horror flick that has its rightful place in the genre for casual viewers who haven’t yet become jaded by generic genre conventions.

As of this writing, Hide and Seek isn’t available on streaming, which is a shame because it’s a perfect low-stakes film with some brilliantly shot sequences that are truly unsettling. However, you can check the title out on-demand through Google Play Movies, Apple TV+, Fandango at Home, and Amazon Prime Video.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Hide and Seek is not a great film, it is a solid point of entry for the casual horror fan. Dakota Fanning shines in her performance, and Robert De Niro does his best with the material he was given. If you’re looking for a low-stakes, generic psychological horror film, Hide and Seek might be worth a watch. Just don’t expect too much, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

FAQs

Q: Is Hide and Seek a good horror movie?
A: It’s a solid, mid-tier horror film that’s worth watching for casual fans.

Q: Is Robert De Niro good in this movie?
A: Yes, he does his best with the material, but the screenplay leads to a predictable and unsatisfying conclusion.

Q: Is Dakota Fanning good in this movie?
A: Yes, she has a stellar performance, especially considering her age at the time of the film’s release.

Q: Is Hide and Seek available on streaming?
A: As of this writing, it is not available on major streaming services, but can be rented or purchased on-demand through various platforms.