Dream House (2011)

An impressive cast of some of Britain's finest — Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, Fred Claus) and Naomi Watts (The Ring, King Kong) team up in the psychological thriller Dream House, a film about a family that gets more than they bargained for when they move into a country home.

When we first meet Will Atenton (Craig), he is celebrating his last day of work as an editor. He has chosen to spend more time with his family, as well as completing his own novel. He is shown to be a loving father of two young girls, and a husband to Libby (Weisz).

Just as the Atentons are about to embark on an exciting new chapter in their lives, they come to learn some disturbing facts about their new abode. The previous inhabitants met a grisly demise, as two children and their mother were murdered, allegedly by their father/husband.

Not only are the Atentons quite understandably rattled by this revelation, but they become the victim of a stalker who they assume to be the murderer himself. Will reaches out to Ann (Watts), the woman who resides across the street and seems to have knowledge about what happened that night. But he is not prepared for the shocking truth that comes to light.

Dream House is one of last year's hidden gems, and features a twist that genuinely left me surprised. It moves at a brisk pace (91 minutes including credits) and features terrific performances.

Craig shows he is more than an action hero. While he'll always be primarily known as 007, he shines here as an average family man put into a far from average situation. While he is supported by two impressive Academy Award-nominated actresses in Weisz (a winner in 2006) and Watts, this is clearly Craig's film. Not only does Craig deliver an impressive performance, but he also experienced a lifechanging event while filming. Life imitated art, as Craig's onscreen wife Weisz would become his real life wife. You could say that they (James) bonded on set... but I wouldn't say that, because it would be lame.

Be sure to snag your copy of Dream House when it arrives on home video January 31.

Rating: 4 out of 5