Nicole Kidman's latest thriller 'The Beguiled' is unnerving Civil War tale

Remake of 1971 film also stars Colin Farrell, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning

SAN ANTONIO – For those looking for something different rather than the usual summer box office fare, the new Focus Features film "The Beguiled" is an incredibly unsettling period drama that is a remake of a previous 1971 Civil War movie.

Starring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell, this new version is again based off a 1966 novel written by Thomas Cullinan. A wounded Union soldier is taken in by the women of the Farnsworth Seminary, a Virginia boarding school run by Miss Martha Farnsworth (Nicole Kidman).

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Colin Farrell plays Cpl. John McBurney, an injured soldier found by a tree wounded from battle. In this version however the mysterious McBurney is not the charmer turned victim he was in the previous film but is instead a schemer, one who ultimately reaps what he sows.

RELATED: Elle Fanning Blushed When Kissing Colin Farrell in 'The Beguiled'

RELATED: Kirsten Dunst Breaks Down Crying at Cannes Film Festival Premiere of 'The Beguiled'

Locked away in the music room, McBurney causes discord among the students who long for his attention, routinely disrupting their daily activities.

"You are a most unwelcome visitor," Ms. Farnsworth says, stitching up his wounded leg. 

The sole remaining teacher, Edwina, (played by Kirsten Dunst) eventually becomes close with McBurney  during the recovery process and, along with Ms. Farnsworth, helps to nurse him back to health.

The film does have a few lighthearted scenes that garner reactions out of an audience. In one such scene, McBurney agrees to his first dinner outside his room  only to find each of the women in their most impressive gowns. 

The students all possess differing opinions of their new house-guest and they take great interest until one of the older students attempts to seduce him. McBurney's relationship with the house sours and that's when the tone of the film suddenly changes.

The performances by the well-known cast as expected, are captivating. The properness of Kidman's character creates a climate which resonates throughout the whole film. Elle Fanning again shows immense depth with a limited, yet vital character. 

But perhaps the most impressive part of the film is the detail and effort placed into the costumes, setting, and cinematography, all of which takes the viewer back to 1864.

In May, Sofia Coppola became only the second woman to win best director at the Cannes Film Festival. Her decision however to not include a slave character found in both the book and the previous movie has become a hot topic on social media, and was received with much criticism.

Coppola's new version focuses mostly on the motives of the women of Farnsworth Seminary, and it something the movie does quite well. But the film's biggest misstep might just be leaving McBurney's full intents less than completely understood.

"The Beguiled," is 1 hour and 34 minutes and is rated R. It opens nation wide on June 30.

You can view the trailer below or by clicking here.

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About the Author:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.