Visually stunning
STOKER has no real plot twists or surprise developments, just straightforward, fatalistic story-telling. What makes it special (and one of the best films of 2013) is the chance to soak yourself in the lush visual style of Park Chan-wook. Even more so than his Korean films such as OLD BOY and THIRST, his first US/English-language effort dazzles with pure visual ecstasy. Also noteworthy is Clint Mansell's haunting (and haunted) score, and one scene's amazingly compelling use of the great Nancy Sinatra/Lee Hazelwood tune "Summer Wine."