The Others (2001)

Last updated:
August 3, 2025

The Others (2001) is a psychological horror film written and directed by Alejandro Amenábar, starring Nicole Kidman in a career-defining role. With its gothic atmosphere, slow-burn tension, and one of the most memorable twist endings in horror cinema, the film stands as a masterclass in suspense and storytelling.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Setting the Scene: An Isolated Mansion and a Mysterious Fog

Set in Jersey, Channel Islands, shortly after World War II, the film begins with Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman), a deeply religious and emotionally fragile woman, living in a dark, creaky mansion with her two photosensitive children—Anne and Nicholas. Their condition causes them to be extremely sensitive to sunlight, so Grace keeps the house shrouded in darkness at all times.

Grace is raising the children alone while waiting for her husband, Charles, to return from the war, though he has been missing for a long time. The children begin reporting strange occurrences—hearing voices, seeing figures—and Grace starts to believe that the house may be haunted.

The Arrival of the Servants

The story truly begins when three servants arrive: Mrs. Mills, the kindly yet cryptic housekeeper; Mr. Tuttle, the quiet gardener; and Lydia, a mute young maid. Grace hires them without thoroughly checking their background. From the start, there’s something eerie about them, especially Mrs. Mills, who seems to know more than she should.

As Grace begins hearing piano music in empty rooms, doors opening on their own, and her daughter drawing disturbing pictures of people she claims to see, the line between reality and the supernatural starts to blur.

The Ghosts or Something Else?

The central mystery of the film deepens when Grace sees a vision of an old woman whom Anne insists is a ghost named “Victor’s grandmother.” Anne maintains that “Victor” is a living boy who lives in the house and is disturbed by their presence—flipping the haunted house trope on its head. Grace believes they’re under attack by intruding spirits, even contacting a priest at one point for an exorcism.

Charles eventually returns home, but he’s distant and emotionally vacant. His presence offers no comfort, and after a brief stay, he disappears again, adding to Grace’s instability.

Movie Ending

The climax of the film delivers a twist that reframes everything we’ve seen. Grace confronts the so-called intruders, only to discover that she, her children, and the servants are actually dead.

The “ghosts” that Anne and Nicholas have been seeing are, in fact, the new living occupants of the house—Victor and his family. Grace had killed her children in a fit of madness (possibly induced by war trauma and isolation), and then shot herself. This event is confirmed by the servants, who reveal they have also been dead for decades and have chosen to stay in the house to help new arrivals accept the truth.

The terrifying truth dawns slowly on Grace: they are the others haunting the house. She breaks down in tears but comes to terms with it. Anne and Nicholas, while confused, seem to accept their fate. The film ends with the family continuing to exist as spirits in the house, unwilling to leave their home.

It’s a masterful twist that redefines earlier scenes, such as the piano playing, cold drafts, and unseen voices—not as signs of ghosts haunting Grace, but of the living being haunted by her.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Others does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends definitively with its twist conclusion and offers no hints at a sequel or continuation.

Type of Movie

The Others is best classified as a psychological horror/thriller. It leans heavily into gothic horror, using atmosphere, silence, and emotional tension rather than gore or jump scares.

Cast

Nicole Kidman as Grace Stewart
Fionnula Flanagan as Mrs. Bertha Mills
Christopher Eccleston as Charles Stewart
Alakina Mann as Anne Stewart
James Bentley as Nicholas Stewart
Eric Sykes as Mr. Edmund Tuttle
Elaine Cassidy as Lydia

Film Music and Composer

The haunting and minimalist score was composed by Alejandro Amenábar himself, showcasing his versatility as both a filmmaker and a musician. The music subtly underscores the tension without overpowering the atmosphere, using delicate piano motifs and eerie string arrangements to build dread.

Filming Locations

Most of the movie was filmed in Spain, particularly in Cantabria and Madrid. The mansion exterior was shot at the Palacio de los Hornillos, which gave the film its brooding, gothic aesthetic. The remote, foggy environment was crucial in conveying the themes of isolation and confusion between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Awards and Nominations

The Others was both a critical and commercial success, earning numerous accolades:

Goya Awards (Spain): Won Best Film, Best Director (Amenábar), Best Cinematography, and several others
Saturn Awards: Nicole Kidman won Best Actress
BAFTA Nominations: Including Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress

It was also nominated for multiple European Film Awards and remains a standout example of non-Hollywood horror cinema.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Nicole Kidman reportedly had nightmares during filming due to the disturbing subject matter.
The film was shot almost entirely in sequence, which is unusual and allowed the actors to evolve with the story.
The fog was not digitally added—it was created using fog machines and adds to the dreamlike, oppressive atmosphere.
Amenábar refused to rely on CGI, instead focusing on camera movement, lighting, and sound to build suspense.
The film was produced by Tom Cruise, who was married to Kidman at the time.

Inspirations and References

The film draws heavily from classic gothic horror literature and cinema:

Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw was a direct influence, particularly the idea of children seeing things adults don’t believe.
The Innocents (1961), a film adaptation of The Turn of the Screw, shares thematic and visual DNA with The Others.
Elements of The Sixth Sense (1999) may also have inspired the film’s twist ending and psychological approach to the supernatural.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no confirmed alternate endings, but some minor deleted scenes involve more background on the servants and the house’s previous occupants. These were trimmed to maintain the film’s pacing and air of mystery.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The Others is not based on a book, but it has inspired novelizations and stage adaptations after its release. Its tone and structure are very literary in nature, often leading people to mistakenly believe it’s based on a novel.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Grace searching the house with a shotgun, convinced someone has broken in.
The séance scene, which reveals Victor’s family communicating with the dead.
The confrontation with the old woman wearing a veil—later revealed to be a medium.
The chilling moment when Grace discovers the gravestones of the servants.

Iconic Quotes

Grace: “Sometimes the world of the dead gets mixed up with the world of the living.”
Anne: “I’ve seen them.”
Mrs. Mills: “There are things your mother doesn’t want to hear.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The wallpaper begins to peel in certain scenes, subtly symbolizing the decaying barrier between the living and the dead.
Photographs of the dead (a Victorian tradition) appear throughout the film, foreshadowing the ending.
The house has no electricity, which not only supports the gothic setting but symbolically reinforces that its inhabitants are cut off from the modern, living world.
The use of curtains and darkness reflects not just the children’s condition, but the metaphorical “blindness” of Grace to the truth.

Trivia

Nicole Kidman was initially reluctant to take the role due to its heavy psychological elements.
The film was a box office hit, grossing over $200 million worldwide on a $17 million budget.
It was one of the first English-language films to win Best Film at the Goya Awards.
The children were cast after hundreds of auditions; their performances were widely praised.

Why Watch?

Watch The Others if you enjoy intelligent, atmospheric horror films that rely more on suspense and psychological complexity than gore. It’s especially satisfying for fans of twist endings and those who appreciate careful attention to tone, character, and subtle visual storytelling.

Director’s Other Movies

Open Your Eyes (1997)
The Sea Inside (2004)
Agora (2009)
Regression (2015)

The Others (2001)

Detailed Summary