The Skeleton Key Promotional poster Directed by Iain Softley Produced by Michael Shamberg Stacey Sher Iain Softley Daniel Bobker Written by Ehren Kruger Starring Kate Hudson Gena Rowlands Peter Sarsgaard John Hurt Joy Bryant Music by Edward Shearmur Cinematography Dan Mindel Edited by Joe Hutshing Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date August 12, 2005 (2005-08-12) (United States) Running time 104 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $43 million[1] Box office $92 million[1]