Gothika

After waking in a hospital she once ran, a top criminal psychologist finds herself a patient in the very facility where she works. She cannot recall the incident that people say she committed and is suddenly facing charges that threaten her career and freedom. As she tries to recover her missing memories, she must convince her skeptical colleague Dr. Pete Graham that she is telling the truth, a task made harder by the strange atmosphere that seems to watch her every move. A menacing presence roams the halls, turning ordinary rooms into spaces of dread while the case spirals through memory, doubt, and conspiracy. The hospital's strict routines, sterile corridors, and rigid authority figures push her toward a breaking point.

Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, Gothika features a screenplay by Sebastian Gutierrez and adaptations from his original concept. The 2003 thriller stars Halle Berry as Miranda Grey and Robert Downey Jr as Pete Graham, with a capable supporting cast in theaters.

It grossed about 141.6 million worldwide against a 40 million budget, making it a solid commercial success for a thriller released in 2003, helped by Berry's star power and a brisk release schedule, staying strong through the summer and beyond.

The film is remembered for its hospital mood and Berry's presence, which helped spark conversations about female led thrillers in the early 2000s. Marketing emphasized suspense over gore and the stark hospital visuals, with the white wardrobe becoming a memorable motif in posters and later thrillers. That resonates with fans.

Critical response was mixed with praise for Berry's performance and the film's mood, but some critics found the plot familiar. It probes memory, guilt, and the ethics of psychiatric care, asking how much a person can know about their own mind. It invites discussion about memory and personal accountability afterward.