The Cry of the Owl (2009 film)

The Cry of the Owl (2009 film) is a psychological thriller film directed by Jamie Thraves, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. The film stars Paddy Considine, Julia Stiles, and Karl Pruner.

The plot centers around Robert Forrester (Considine), a divorced man who becomes obsessed with watching Jenny Thierolf (Stiles) through her window. Jenny, feeling lonely and misunderstood in her relationship with her fiancé Greg (Pruner), invites Robert into her life. This seemingly innocent invitation sets off a chain of events that leads to stalking, violence, and eventually murder. The film explores themes of obsession, loneliness, and the unintended consequences of seemingly harmless actions.

The film is a remake of a 1987 French film, also titled Le Cri du Hibou, and it differs in some plot details from Highsmith's novel. While set in the United States, the film maintains the suspenseful and unsettling atmosphere typical of Highsmith's works. The performances of Considine and Stiles were generally well-received.