A Cure for Wellness

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A Cure for Wellness is a 2016 psychological horror film directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Justin Haythe. The film stars Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs, and Mia Goth. It follows the story of a young executive, Lockhart (played by DeHaan), who is sent to a mysterious rehabilitation center in the Swiss Alps to retrieve his company's CEO. Upon arrival, he discovers that the spa's miraculous treatments are not what they seem and that the facility harbors a dark secret.

Plot

Lockhart, an ambitious executive, is sent to the remote wellness center to bring back his company's CEO, who has written a letter suggesting he has found a cure for all illnesses and will not return. Upon arriving, Lockhart is involved in a car accident and wakes up in the center with a broken leg. The director of the facility, Dr. Heinreich Volmer (played by Isaacs), assures him that the center specializes in a holistic approach to wellness, using water from the local aquifer. Lockhart becomes suspicious of the treatments after witnessing strange behaviors from the patients and staff. His investigations lead him to discover the center's horrifying history and its connection to a centuries-old baron who sought to create a pure bloodline through incestuous relationships. Lockhart must unravel the mystery to escape the center and save a mysterious young woman, Hannah (played by Goth), who is the key to the facility's sinister practices.

Themes

The film explores themes of corporate greed, sanity, obsession, and the quest for immortality. It critiques the modern world's obsession with health and wellness, suggesting that the pursuit of physical perfection can lead to madness. The film's gothic atmosphere is used to enhance the horror elements, creating a sense of unease and foreboding.

Production

Directed by Gore Verbinski, known for his work on the Pirates of the Caribbean series, A Cure for Wellness marks a return to the horror genre for the director. The film was shot in various locations, including Germany and Switzerland, with the Castle Hohenzollern serving as the exterior for the wellness center. The cinematography by Bojan Bazelli is notable for its use of bleak, monochromatic colors, which contribute to the film's eerie atmosphere.

Reception

A Cure for Wellness received mixed reviews from critics. While its visuals, direction, and performances were praised, the film was criticized for its length and convoluted plot. Despite this, it has gained a cult following for its unique story and aesthetic.

See Also

• Psychological horror
• Gothic fiction
• Gore Verbinski
• Dane DeHaan
• Jason Isaacs
• Mia Goth