‘The Rule Of Jenny Pen’ Review – John Lithgow Terrorizes Geoffrey Rush In A Horror Film About Aging

No matter how popularized it is by myth, there is a false belief that bullies exist only in the schoolyard. Adults, explicitly aging adults, are exempt from the machinations and taunts of a bully. That is far from the truth. Bullies, regrettably, are everywhere: in the gym, at work, or in a nursing home. This is where we find our bully in The Rule of Jenny Pen. A seemingly retired gentleman is anything but gentle, becoming a psychopathic creep, stalking the halls and taunting the older residents. One part commentary, one part surreal trip; this movie follows its rules to unhinged ends.

An aging judge, Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush), finds himself confined to a retirement home after he suffers a stroke. Resentful of his situation, he is at odds with the staff and his roommate. Unwittingly, he crosses paths and clashes with another resident, Dave Crealy (John Lithgow). Despite a puckish demeanor, Crealy is secretly terrorizing residents with a dementia doll. Sidebar: This doll is a soulless terror! While the staff is oblivious to these torments, Stefan resolves to end Crealy’s reign of terror as the attacks grow more sinister.

Those expecting a psychotic killer stalking the halls of a nursing home will not find that particular in this outing. Instead, the film is much more about dread and creepy intensity. And creepy–Lithgow is an absolute, certified, sleep-with-your-eyes-open creeper! He roams the halls with a puppet in hand, acting first like a bully on the playground. But eventually, his childish taunts become dark and unseemly. Never one to shrink from chewing up the scene, Lithgow delivers a perfectly unbalanced rogue in a deliriously unhinged film.

The Rule of Jenny Pen is a different slice of horror. The tropes are there; we have stalking, unsettling foreground images, and cries for help that go unheard. Yet, the disturbing nature of the story is what happens to our aging population. There have been real-life horror stories of abuse in nursing homes. A sanctuary for one’s loved one becomes a playground of nightmares. The movie casts a light on this unsettling terror that is all too real.

Further, the film reminds us that the most vulnerable always fall victim to the whims of those with nefarious intent. Shortly after arriving, Stefan becomes suspicious of Crealy after he wildly roams into his room one night and assaults him in the most degrading manner. Stefan proves himself to be a worthy adversary, embodying those same characters from other horror films who confront the monster when no one else will dare.

During one of their confrontations, Crealy taunts Stefan with an oddly specific remark. “We get old because we stop playing.” Whether Crealy is merely playing or acting on a darker impulse is up to the viewer, and the film smartly refuses to commit. However, the subtext of this line pokes at one of the themes tied into this unsettling narrative: aging. The fear of it, especially for the residents of this home, is an ever-present reality.

The Rule of Jenny Pen is a horror film that works on many levels and is busting with subtext. Stefan’s presence in the home results from his advancing age, something he seems desperate to refute. In many ways, Crealy is a metaphor for the grim reaper, the taunting reminder that death is coming, especially for those in their later years.

On the one hand, this film works as a cautionary tale, spotlighting the ills taking place in nursing homes. The film also addresses the reality that bullies come in all shapes and ages. Our older citizens, despite their age and breadth of experience, are often overlooked, ignored, or just plain forgotten. The film drives home this point as Stefan frees into the void while Crealy roams with vengeful intent.

On the other hand, how the film orders itself is good old-fashioned psychological horror. Director James Ashcroft is aware of the genre and crafts a narrative dripping with dread. Danger lurks around corridors. Cries for help are exaggerated. Death is merely an accident or inevitable. In many ways, the home itself, despite being set on a charming vista, acts as a prison, including a perimeter gate and Nurse Ratched-adjacent staff. There is a feeling that the inmates are not much running the asylum, but more than one inmate, in particular, is calling all the shots, and that is terrifying!  

The Rule of Jenny Pen may upset some viewers because it lacks gore or outright horror. The film is more subtle in its effort, and while it takes its time, the wait is worth the deadly wait.

The Rule of Jenny Pen will be released exclusively in theaters on March 7, 2025, courtesy of IFC Films and Shudder.