The Skeleton Key (2005): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Skeleton Key is a 2005 drama thriller directed by Iain Softley, starring Kate Hudson, Peter Sarsgaard and Joy Bryant. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $94 million worldwide on a $43 million budget. Critics gave it 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Iain Softley
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $43M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is The Skeleton Key About?
The premise of The Skeleton Key without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A caring nurse accepts a position tending to a reclusive elderly man and his wife in a decaying mansion deep in the Louisiana bayou. As she provides care, she becomes entangled in the family's troubled past and begins to suspect the nature of their mysterious illness is far more complex than it appears. She must navigate unsettling secrets and confront a disturbing reality that challenges her beliefs and puts her own well-being at risk.
The Skeleton Key Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- southern gothic
- soul transference
- hoodoo
- surprise ending
- bad guys win
- mouth sewn shut
- eyes sewn shut
- attic
- bound and gagged
- double barreled shotgun
- transhumanism
- three word title
+38 more Show fewer
- trumpet
- trombone
- saxophone
- trombonist
- tuba
- bass player
- drums
- car
- u.s. car
- jeep
- jeep grand wagoneer
- german car
- reading aloud
- checking pulse
- jazz band
- thunderstorm
- dancing in a night club
- strangled by hanging
- old family photograph
- master key
- squeezing someone's wrist
- burned alive
- three snake ring
- year 1920
- some scenes in black and white
- cocktail party
- missing child
- conjuring
- wooden cigar box
- nightmare sequence
- gun misfire
- ice tea
- car crash
- rowing a boat
- close up of eye
- broken leg
- mind transfer
- violence
The Skeleton Key Cast
Kate Hudson leads the cast, with Peter Sarsgaard and Joy Bryant. Directed by Iain Softley.
-
Director Iain Softley
The Skeleton Key Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Skeleton Key 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
-
IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 47 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB
The Skeleton Key Plot Summary
What happens in The Skeleton Key from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Caroline, played by Kate Hudson, is a young hospice worker grappling with her role in a field that constantly reminds her of her personal losses. Haunted by the memory of her father, who passed away alone while she was busy touring with a rock band, Caroline experiences a profound sense of guilt. Determined to make a positive impact, she seeks to forge meaningful connections with her patients. However, her disillusionment deepens when she encounters yet another death, where no family members show any concern for the deceased’s belongings.
Full summary
The whole story of The Skeleton Key, scene by scene
The Skeleton Key Box Office & Budget
The Skeleton Key grossed $94 million worldwide on a $43 million budget, 2.2 times what it cost. $47.9 million came from the US and Canada and $46.1 million (49%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$94M
2.2× its budget
- US & Canada
- $47.9M
- International
- $46.1M
- Budget
- $43M
The Skeleton Key Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer The Skeleton Key Trailer
How Well Do You Know The Skeleton Key?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What profession does Caroline work in?
Cars in The Skeleton Key
15 cars on screen, including the 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and the 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle Typ 1.
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1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Important role -
1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle Typ 1 Important role -
1982 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Minor role -
2003 Chevrolet Silverado HD Minor role
The Skeleton Key Also Known As
35 alternative titles, including “毒钥” and “La porte des secrets”.
- Also known as
-
- 毒钥
- La porte des secrets
- La Llave del Mal
- Kvela karis gasagebi
- To antikleidi
- Ključ tajni
- Odklenjena skrivnost
- Iskelet anahtar
- Luukerevõti
- Nøkkelen
- 스켈리톤키
- La llave Maestra
+23 more Show fewer
- Der verbotene Schlüssel
- Klíč
- Kľúč
- İskelet Anahtar
- Ключ от всех дверей
- 万能钥匙
- เปิดประตูหลอน
- Klucz do koszmaru
- A titkok kulcsa
- A Chave
- Το αντικλείδι
- סודות נעולים
- スケルトン・キー
- A Chave Mestra
- La clé des secrets
- Ключ від усіх дверей
- Шперцът
- 毒鑰
- 스켈리톤 키
- 害匙
- Cheia schelet
- Chìa Khóa Xương Người
- Raktas
Seen The Skeleton Key?
Movies Like The Skeleton Key
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Skeleton Crew, Skeleton Key 2: 667 Neighbor of the Beast and Bones.
The Skeleton Key FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Skeleton Key, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Skeleton Key?
The Skeleton Key runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was The Skeleton Key released?
The Skeleton Key was released on August 12, 2005.
Who directed The Skeleton Key?
The Skeleton Key was directed by Iain Softley.
More films by Iain Softley Who is in the cast of The Skeleton Key?
The Skeleton Key stars Kate Hudson, Peter Sarsgaard and Joy Bryant.
How much did The Skeleton Key make at the box office?
The Skeleton Key grossed $94 million worldwide ($47.9 million domestic, $46.1 million international) on a budget of $43 million.
How is The Skeleton Key rated?
The Skeleton Key has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 47 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Does The Skeleton Key have a post-credit scene?
Yes. The Skeleton Key has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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