MovieChat Forums > In the Mouth of Madness (1995) Discussion > Anyone think Stiles was deliberately act...

Anyone think Stiles was deliberately acted poorly?

posted 11 years ago by YRLY59E
13 replies | jump to latest

I have been thinking about this, I believe Stiles was deliberately acted poorly and shallow. Having read a lot of horror books such as those Sutter Cane is writing, a female love interest to the main character is always under developed and shallow. Notice that John never delves into her personal life despite the lengthy drive?

I think this is supposed to provide a sense of detachment, that all you are watching is the horror story Sutter Cane wrote, as John realizes in the end at the movie.

[–] urthpainter 8 years ago

could have been simply casting/screen testing too - but to your point, there is absolutely no question her character is intentionally stylized. besides the way she looks, is costumed and acts - its in the writing. there's a blatant moment late in the movie where she goes all romantic at the worst possible time, "because that is what the reader wants!" probably the funniest moment in the movie imo. the interesting question would be, how was she directed? was she aware of the nuance... or not?

[–] kuatorises (7467) 3 years ago

Sam Neill's performance isn't exactly good either. Pretty sure it's all intentional. It's very Stephen King-esque.