I would want to add in this review to encourage to watch what, acknowledged, is otherwise now a mess, if only for a top performance in a difficult role for the much under-appreciated gorgeous Ana de Armas.
First up, noting that there are 33 producers credited (yup, you read that right: THIRTY THREE all vying for ...) here should immediately warn you, you are likely in for a mess:
Although, actually, this is not quite so, for hiding - certainly NOT 'exposed' - can be discerned what was probably originally a quite clever, intriguing and certainly most disturbing screenplay (by the director, Gee Malik Linton: but note, he had his name changed to a 'D. Dale = clearly, red flag warning number two!): note, it's current title is more or less meaningless, but his original title more or less gives the game away as it is when the final denouement plays out, you'll highly likely be left with trying to think / work out, did it really all fit together (No it didn't!):
Most unfortunately, with the addition of Reeves, the producers, scriptwriters - or someone* - moved the focus to him, but he has no palpable character arc; if not his - alleged - wooden acting style, then clearly on display is simply evidence of just how adrift he found himself in this not quite held together, not mess, but half cocked effort. Even Mira Sorvino is sorely underused in a what surely should have a been a pivotal part to the plot Linton originally set out, but here is unforgivably reduced just to a throwaway tryst role for Reeves. Pity, for the gorgeous Ana de Armas - (the reason I ran across it) - not only otherwise carries the whole 'mystery', but gives a fabulous, convincing performance as the wronged / mistreated ingénue to keep your eye on: when it all comes out (!) what is going on with her, she puts in a truly painful, difficult to watch portrayal (á la 'Irreversible' like.) One to watch to think what could have been if not interfered with by the filmdom powers that control! *
* See the Trivia notes: seems, blame 'Lionsgate Premiere' for the travesty. N.B. Armas (especially) and Reeves are far (far!) better in 'Knock Knock'= go see.
First up, noting that there are 33 producers credited (yup, you read that right: THIRTY THREE all vying for ...) here should immediately warn you, you are likely in for a mess:
Although, actually, this is not quite so, for hiding - certainly NOT 'exposed' - can be discerned what was probably originally a quite clever, intriguing and certainly most disturbing screenplay (by the director, Gee Malik Linton: but note, he had his name changed to a 'D. Dale = clearly, red flag warning number two!): note, it's current title is more or less meaningless, but his original title more or less gives the game away as it is when the final denouement plays out, you'll highly likely be left with trying to think / work out, did it really all fit together (No it didn't!):
Most unfortunately, with the addition of Reeves, the producers, scriptwriters - or someone* - moved the focus to him, but he has no palpable character arc; if not his - alleged - wooden acting style, then clearly on display is simply evidence of just how adrift he found himself in this not quite held together, not mess, but half cocked effort. Even Mira Sorvino is sorely underused in a what surely should have a been a pivotal part to the plot Linton originally set out, but here is unforgivably reduced just to a throwaway tryst role for Reeves. Pity, for the gorgeous Ana de Armas - (the reason I ran across it) - not only otherwise carries the whole 'mystery', but gives a fabulous, convincing performance as the wronged / mistreated ingénue to keep your eye on: when it all comes out (!) what is going on with her, she puts in a truly painful, difficult to watch portrayal (á la 'Irreversible' like.) One to watch to think what could have been if not interfered with by the filmdom powers that control! *
* See the Trivia notes: seems, blame 'Lionsgate Premiere' for the travesty. N.B. Armas (especially) and Reeves are far (far!) better in 'Knock Knock'= go see.