Cold Creek Manor (2003)

“Cold Creek Manor” is a 2003 psychological thriller directed by Mike Figgis and starring Dennis Quaid, Sharon Stone, Juliette Lewis, and Kristen Stewart. The film follows a family from the city who moves to a dilapidated mansion in rural New York, hoping to start a new life. However, they soon discover that the house has a dark past and that the previous owner is unwilling to let go of it.

The film opens with Cooper Tilson (Dennis Quaid), a documentary filmmaker, losing his job due to budget cuts. He decides to buy a rundown mansion in the countryside with his wife Leah (Sharon Stone) and their two children, Kristen (Kristen Stewart) and Jesse (Ryan Wilson). The house, known as Cold Creek Manor, was abandoned for years, and the family plans to renovate it and make it their dream home.

However, strange things start happening around the house. Kristen finds an old diary hidden in a wall, which belonged to a teenage girl named Sarah, who used to live in the house. She becomes obsessed with the diary and starts investigating the mysterious disappearance of Sarah's family. Meanwhile, Cooper discovers that the previous owner, a local handyman named Dale Massie (Stephen Dorff), is obsessed with the house and wants it back at any cost.

As the family becomes more entangled in the house's dark history, Dale becomes increasingly violent and aggressive, trying to scare them away. Cooper and Leah realize that they have to uncover the truth behind the house's past to protect their family and save their home.

Overall, “Cold Creek Manor” is a well-crafted thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The performances of the cast are outstanding, particularly Dennis Quaid, who delivers a nuanced and emotional performance as a man struggling to provide for his family. The film's cinematography and atmosphere are also excellent, creating a sense of foreboding and tension throughout the film.

However, the film's plot is somewhat predictable, and the characters are not fully developed, making it difficult to connect with them emotionally. Additionally, some of the plot points are unrealistic and far-fetched, which can be a bit distracting. Nonetheless, “Cold Creek Manor” is an entertaining thriller that fans of the genre will enjoy.