🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Luiso Berdejo
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Crime
- Release year: 2009
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10 (27,706 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Divorced dad moves kids near cursed dirt pile, daughter gets muddy and crabby, then things get ‘Swamp Thing’ weird.
🍿 The New Daughter: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Relocation and Initial Unease
John James, a recently divorced writer, moves with his teenage daughter Louisa and young son Sam to a secluded house in rural South Carolina. The move is intended to be a fresh start, but Louisa is resentful and struggles to adjust. The property features an ancient Native American burial mound, which quickly becomes a focal point of Louisa’s growing fascination.

Increasingly Strange Behavior
Louisa begins exhibiting strange behaviors, spending increasing amounts of time at the burial mound, often returning covered in mud. Strange noises are heard around the house, and the family’s cat disappears. Sam becomes frightened by his sister’s actions and the unsettling atmosphere. John seeks to understand the cause of his daughter’s erratic behavior.

Unveiling the History
John learns about the dark history of the house and the previous owners, discovering a disturbing pattern of similar events. He seeks out the former owner, Roger Wayne, who reveals the terrifying truth about the burial mound and the entities that reside within. As Louisa’s transformation progresses, John realizes the grave danger his family is in.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- John James (Kevin Costner): A recently divorced writer who moves his family to a rural home, only to face a terrifying supernatural threat.
- Louisa James (Ivana Baquero): John’s teenage daughter who becomes increasingly strange and is drawn to a mysterious burial mound.
- Sam James (Gattlin Griffith): John’s young son, who is frightened by the strange happenings and serves as a vulnerable observer.
- Cassandra Parker (Samantha Mathis): Louisa’s teacher who initially dismisses her strange behavior as typical teenage angst.
- Professor Evan White (Noah Taylor): A professor who offers insight into the history and nature of the burial mound and its connection to Louisa’s behavior.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- John James: “There it is.” – John says this as he drives up to their new, isolated house, setting the stage for the unsettling events to come.
- John James: “Want to go in first?” – John says this to his son Sam as they approach their new home.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $15,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $520,396
- Worldwide Gross: $579,626
💥 The New Daughter Reviews
Personal Review
I found this movie surprisingly creepy. The atmosphere was unsettling, especially the scenes around the mound. The way Louisa’s behavior changed was disturbing, and Costner did a good job portraying a worried father. The ending left me with a chill, unsure of what really happened, but in a good, unsettling way. I think the less you know going in, the better to watch it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of slow-burn horror movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers”
- “Those interested in supernatural horror stories”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Disturbing images”
- “Some gore”
- “Mature themes”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “A slow burn thriller that relies more on atmosphere than jump scares. Kevin Costner delivers a grounded performance as a father desperately trying to protect his children. The ending may not satisfy everyone, but it leaves you pondering the unknown horrors lurking beneath the surface.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While ‘The New Daughter’ creates an eerie atmosphere, the plot is predictable, and Costner seems disinterested. The film struggles to rise above its clichés, delivering a disappointing horror experience. It needed a stronger lead to connect more with the growing sense of dread
Audience Reactions
The slow-burn suspense kept viewers on the edge of their seats.: The eerie atmosphere and the unsettling transformation of the daughter was very effective.
The ending left viewers divided, but generated considerable discussion.: People found the suspense was well-crafted, and that it succeeded on a psychological level rather than relying solely on gore.
Overall Consensus: A slow-burn horror with effective atmosphere, but a predictable plot and divisive ending.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on a short story from the horror anthology ‘Nocturnes’ by John Connolly.”
- “The movie was filmed in Charleston, South Carolina, adding to the film’s eerie Southern Gothic atmosphere.”
- “Director Luis Berdejo is better known for writing the screenplay for the acclaimed Spanish horror film ‘[REC]’.”
🖥️ How to Watch The New Daughter?
As of now, “The New Daughter” is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check these streaming services for availability to rent or buy. Also, physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can be found online through retailers like Amazon and eBay.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The New Daughter, you might like these similar films:
- The Ring (2002): Both films explore supernatural threats tied to a specific location and feature a race against time to protect loved ones.
- The Others (2001): Similar suspenseful atmosphere in a remote house and the slow reveal of a supernatural presence affecting the family.
- Signs (2002): Shares the theme of a family in a rural setting facing unexplained and increasingly menacing events.
🛒 The New Daughter Related Products
- John Connolly: Nocturnes: Read the original short story that inspired ‘The New Daughter’. Explore John Connolly’s chilling horror collection.
- Monster Movie Essentials Kit: Survival kit containing: flashlight, multi-tool, emergency blanket, first-aid kit. Prepare for every monster encounter!
- The New Daughter [Blu-ray]: The New Daughter movie on bluray disc – High Definition
- Native American Folklore & Horror: Collection of Native American folklore and horror novels. A unique horror story and history lesson.
🎧 Soundtrack
The New Daughter features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The burial mound is an ancient Native American site on the property where the James family moves. It serves as a gateway or dwelling place for malevolent entities that seek to possess Louisa and use her as their queen.
Louisa is gradually possessed by the entities from the burial mound. Her behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent as she transforms into a creature-like being.
The ending is intentionally ambiguous, leaving the viewer to question whether John’s sacrifice was successful or if the evil from the mound continues to threaten Sam. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of the horror and the lingering presence of the supernatural.
🔥 Bonus Content
The New Daughter (2009) Full Horror Movie Explained In Hindi | Horror Movie Explained In Hindi | CCH
Ever wonder what *really* happened in ‘The New Daughter’? This video breaks down the entire movie in Hindi, so even if you missed some of the nuances, you’ll get it now! Honestly, it cleared up a few things for me; check it out!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.





