Case 39 main backdrop
Case 39 main poster

6.3/10 • 2.2K

2009-08-131h 49m

HorrorMysteryThriller

Some cases should never be opened.

In her many years as a social worker, Emily Jenkins believes she has seen it all, until she meets 10-year-old Lilith and the girl's cruel parents. Emily's worst fears are confirmed when the parents try to harm the child, and so Emily assumes custody of Lilith while she looks for a foster family. However, Emily soon finds that dark forces surround the seemingly innocent girl, and the more she tries to protect Lilith, the more horrors she encounters.

Directors
Christian Alvart
Writters
Ray Wright
Editors
Ray Wright, Mark Goldblatt

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Renée Zellweger

    Renée Zellweger

    Emily Jenkins

  2. Jodelle Ferland

    Jodelle Ferland

    Lillith Sullivan

  3. Ian McShane

    Ian McShane

    Detective Mike Barron

  4. Bradley Cooper

    Bradley Cooper

    Douglas J. Ames

  5. Adrian Lester

    Adrian Lester

    Wayne

  6. Kerry O'Malley

    Kerry O'Malley

    Margaret Sullivan

  7. Callum Keith Rennie

    Callum Keith Rennie

    Edward Sullivan

  8. Cynthia Stevenson

    Cynthia Stevenson

    Nancy

  9. Alexander Conti

    Alexander Conti

    Diego

Reviews2

View Reviews
John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Jul 3, 2014

6/10

Keep Away From Children. Case 39 is directed by Christian Alvart and written by Ray Wright. It stars Renee Zellwegger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane and Bradley Cooper. Music is by Michl Britsch and cinematography by Hagen Bodanski. Another in the long line of demonic/psycho children films, Case 39 sat on the shelf for a few years before finally seeing the light of day around 2009. Met with a whole bunch of negative reviews it is somewhat pleasing to find that while it’s not a misunderstood classic or anything, it actually works well within this sub-genre of horror. Story in short order form has Zellwegger as Emily Jenkins, a social worker who after rescuing young Lilly Sullivan from crazed parents, takes her in on a temporary foster basis and soon comes to regret it. Offering up a more supernatural slant than many other films of a similar ilk, German director Alvart does still follow the familiar formula for crazed child movies. Lillith (unsubtle name or what?!) serenely ingratiates herself into Emily’s world and that of the people around her, then of course things start happening, bad things. Having taken his time to build it up during the first half, Alvart then revels in unleashing demonic chaos, with young Ferland giving an unnervingly superb performance as Lilly. The shocks and psychological torments are tidily crafted, and it all builds to a suitably daft and frenetic finale. It’s too long at nearly two hours in length, it’s sometimes silly and it’s cliché heavy. However, some striking scenes, a mightily strong child performance and the decent chiller thriller fun factor, lifts this just above average status. 6/10

Media

  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster
  • Case 39 poster

Recommendations

  • Orphan main backdrop

    Orphan

    7.0

  • Emelie main backdrop

    Emelie

    5.2

  • Julia's Eyes main backdrop

    Julia's Eyes

    6.7

  • The Uninvited main backdrop

    The Uninvited

    6.5

  • Chaos Theory main backdrop

    Chaos Theory

    6.3

  • Black Gold main backdrop

    Black Gold

    6.5

  • The Comebacks main backdrop

    The Comebacks

    4.8

  • At the Devil's Door main backdrop

    At the Devil's Door

    4.8

  • No Backdrop

    Delirium

    6.2

  • The Haunting of Sharon Tate main backdrop

    The Haunting of Sharon Tate

    4.5

  • The Corporation main backdrop

    The Corporation

    7.7

  • Messengers 2: The Scarecrow main backdrop

    Messengers 2: The Scarecrow

    5.5

  • Say 'I Love You' main backdrop

    Say 'I Love You'

    6.8

  • Omar Killed Me main backdrop

    Omar Killed Me

    6.7

  • On Guard main backdrop

    On Guard

    6.7

  • The Bay main backdrop

    The Bay

    5.8

  • Afterschool main backdrop

    Afterschool

    5.4

  • Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser main backdrop

    Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser

    7.3

  • Christ(Off) main backdrop

    Christ(Off)

    5.5

  • The Houses October Built 2 main backdrop

    The Houses October Built 2

    4.9

Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$27,000,000.00
Revenue
$29,000,000.00
Keywords
child abusesocial workerdetectiveofficesupernaturalmurdermental institutioncityscapedrawnfalling elevatorpiersuper powerdeadly