Shudder continues its streak of unsettling original films with The Rule of Jenny Pen, a psychological horror-thriller that sinks its claws into the vulnerability of aging and the horrors lurking in the quiet corners of a retirement home. Anchored by powerhouse performances from Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow, this eerie and claustrophobic tale crafts an atmosphere thick with dread, proving that terror knows no age.

The film follows Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), a once-powerful legal mind now reduced to a shadow of himself after suffering a debilitating stroke. Sent to a secluded rest home to recover, Mortensen soon finds himself at odds with Dave Crealy (Lithgow), a seemingly affable resident whose innocent facade masks a twisted, controlling presence. Crealy rules the facility through an insidious game known as “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” using a disturbing dementia doll as both his mouthpiece and his weapon. As Mortensen fights to expose the horrors unfolding around him, he realises that no one believes him—leaving him to take matters into his own frail but determined hands.

What makes The Rule of Jenny Pen so compelling is its setting—an elderly care facility rarely seen in horror, yet rife with an inherent sense of powerlessness. The film leans into that, drawing horror not just from Crealy’s psychological torment but from the indifference of the staff, the isolation of its residents, and the fear of losing one’s agency. Director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark) masterfully builds tension, blending psychological horror with moments of outright terror as Crealy’s grip over the home tightens.

Rush and Lithgow are mesmerising, delivering two of the most sinister performances in recent memory. Lithgow, in particular, is chilling—his portrayal of Crealy is equal parts charming and horrifying, a villain who wields his dementia doll like a twisted totem of authority. Meanwhile, Rush imbues Mortensen with a tragic, desperate resilience, making his struggle against Crealy both gripping and deeply affecting.

While The Rule of Jenny Pen does veer into some familiar horror tropes in its final act, it remains a uniquely unsettling experience. With its fresh setting, masterful performances, and an unnerving psychological edge, reminding us that the most dangerous monsters aren’t always supernatural, and that horror can fester in the most unexpected places.

• Saul Muerte

The Rule of Jenny Pen will start streaming on Shudder from Fri 28th March