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The Others

The Others is a 2001 psychological Gothic horror film written, directed, and scored by Alejandro Amenábar.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Others is a 2001 psychological Gothic horror film written, directed, and scored by Alejandro Amenábar. Set in 1945 on the island of Jersey, it stars Nicole Kidman as a mother protecting her photosensitive children in a darkened mansion while eerie events unfold around them. The film became a major international success and won multiple Goya Awards.

Plot

The film follows Grace Stewart, a devout mother living with her children in a darkened manor because of their photosensitivity. Strange sounds, apparitions, and new servants intensify the household’s fear until the story’s final revelation reinterprets the haunting.

Production

Alejandro Amenábar served as writer, director, and composer. The film was produced as a Spanish-American co-production and was made on a relatively small budget compared with its eventual international earnings.

Reception

The Others was widely praised as a suspenseful horror film and became a box-office hit. It also received significant recognition from Spain’s Goya Awards, winning eight awards from 15 nominations.

Legacy

The film is often discussed for its twist ending and its place in early-2000s horror cinema. Its awards performance also made it notable in Spanish film history because it won Best Film without Spanish-language dialogue.

Key facts

  • The film is set in 1945 on Jersey in the Channel Islands.
  • It centers on Grace Stewart and her two children, who are highly sensitive to sunlight.
  • The story uses a Gothic horror atmosphere and a late twist revealing the true nature of the haunting.
  • It was released in 2001 and became a commercial success on a modest budget.
  • The film won eight Goya Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
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Canadian context

The film was released internationally, including in Canada, as part of the early-2000s English-language horror market and remains familiar to Canadian audiences interested in psychological horror cinema.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Others about?
It is about a mother and her two photosensitive children who live in a dark mansion and begin experiencing disturbing supernatural events.
Who directed The Others?
Alejandro Amenábar directed the film and also wrote and scored it.
When was The Others released?
It was released in 2001, with a U.S. theatrical release on August 10, 2001.
Who stars in The Others?
The film stars Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Eccleston, Elaine Cassidy, Eric Sykes, Alakina Mann, and James Bentley.
How successful was The Others at the box office?
It earned about US$210 million worldwide on a reported budget of about US$17 million.
What awards did The Others win?
It won eight Goya Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

References

  1. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/facts-about-the-others-nicole-kidman-movie
    Supports: Plot overview, worldwide box office, Goya Awards, and historical note about winning Best Film without Spanish dialogue.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Others_(2001_film)
    Supports: Basic film credits, setting, release year, and cast list.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1109257-others
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, director, cast, rating, runtime, and release information.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230600/faq/
    Supports: Runtime, U.S. release date, plot premise, rating, budget, and worldwide box office.