The 2024 Fantastic Fest lineup kicked off with the world premiere of a film all the way from New Zealand, The Rule of Jenny Pen. Based on a short story by Owen Marshall, this film was written by Eli Kent (Coming Home in the Dark) and James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark), the latter having also directed the film. In The Rule of Jenny Pen, a powerful judge suffers a stroke and is forced into a care facility while he attempts to regain his strength. Soon after his arrival, the judge discovers the elderly residents are terrorized by a sociopath with a creepy puppet, and the sinister duo have their sights set on the judge.

The film begins with Judge Stefan having his stroke in the middle of sentencing. It allows the audience to see what a powerful, capable man he was. Afterward, when he enters the care facility, he’s mostly wheelchair bound and has lost control of the right side of his body. Ashcroft does a great job of setting Stefan apart from the other residents. Stefan firmly believes he’s only there until he regains his physical control, then he plans to go back to the city and to his career. He’s disgusted and annoyed by most of the other residents, who are elderly people who either can’t take care of themselves for physical or mental reasons.

Then, Stefan meets a strange resident named Dave. At first, Stefan simply assumes the man has sever dementia. However, he quickly learns that Dave, along with his baby doll puppet named Jenny Pen, rule the facility. From the moment of that realization, it’s a constant sparring match between the two men, each trying to prove they’re the top dog.

The Rule of Jenny Pen blends dark humor with chilling tension. Through the eyes of Stefan, the audience sees the other residents and feels a certain sense of repulsion, while also laughing at some of their more absurd antics. Yet, at the same time, it forces the audience to confront the horrors of aging, which will happen to everyone at some point, blending sympathy into the feelings of disgust. It’s uncomfortable to watch, but that’s kind of the point. It brings to light the truths about aging we would rather ignore. That doesn’t mean the film isn’t without fault. Perhaps because it’s based on a short story, the latter half of the film begins to feel as if it’s stretched too thin. On more than one occasion it seemed like the film was ending, only for it to go on. It got to the point of being a bit repetitive, making me believe the film might have worked better as a short rather than a feature. There is also a secondary character, Tony, who is Stefan’s roommate at the care facility. He has arguably the most compelling character arc throughout the film and might have been better served as the main protagonist.

With such a strong cast, it’s no wonder the performances are the clear highlight of The Rule of Jenny Pen. Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean, The King’s Speech) stars as Stefan. Rush brings such depth to the role, at first delivering an air of superiority before eventually coming to the realization he might never leave the care facility and is no less powerless than all the other residents. He also has a fantastic physical performance as the judge, making it easy for the audience to believe he’s suffered a stroke. John Lithgow (Pet Semetary, Twilight Zone: The Movie) plays Dave, and of course the voice of the puppet, Jenny Pen. Lithgow gives one of his most sinister, unhinged performances to date, easily pretending to have dementia in front of the caregivers before turning into the residents’ worst nightmare once the lights go out. He also delivers one of the most convincing New Zealand accents I’ve heard from a non-Kiwi. The rivalry and tension between these two oozes from the screen. Another fantastic performance comes from George Henare (Once Were Warriors, The Legend of Johnny Lingo) as the judge’s roommate, Tony. A seasoned resident who has become accustomed to Dave and Jenny Pen’s torments, he offers an interesting perspective. Henare is brilliant in this role, especially in a highly emotional scene when he attempt to perform the Haka.

For a film about conflicts in an elderly care home, The Rule of Jenny Pen has some surprisingly great artistry. What audiences are sure to notice immediately is the sound design. When in a care facility, there are bound to be some unpleasant noises from the residents. The Rule of Jenny Pen really leans into this, making sure every snore, sniff, chew, and other bodily noises are crystal clear. It’s another layer forcing the audience to come face-to-face with the more grotesque side of aging. There are also some very interesting visuals. Most notably, Dave and Jenny Pen. Jenny Pen is a plastic baby doll puppet, ragged and clearly quite old, with no eyes. Throughout the film, it almost seems like the puppet is lit from within, giving the open eye sockets an unnerving glow as if she’s alive. Lithgow also appears to be wearing blue contacts as Dave, almost giving him the appearance of having doll’s eyes. It’s unsettling to behold and seems to strengthen the bizarre connection between this man and his puppet. The Rule of Jenny Pen also has some very unhinged sequences with visuals that are the stuff of nightmares.

The Rule of Jenny Pen puts two all-star actors at odds as it forces audiences to confront the horrors of aging, making it difficult to know if one should laugh or gasp. Ashcroft did a great job bringing the film to life, telling a very human story with nightmarish sights and sounds. While the film could either have been shortened or the script could have been fleshed out more, it’s still a thought-provoking and anxiety-inducing tale. Rush and Lithgow are absolute powerhouses, playing incredibly well off one other, with Henare being the heart of the film. This film will no doubt make audiences uncomfortable, and that’s why it’s worth watching.

OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10