The film fell short of delivering the suspense and thrills I had anticipated from a crime/thriller genre. The first half, centered around fishing boat expeditions, impressed with its visuals and sound design, yet it left me craving a deeper narrative. The second half veered into familiar drug and crime territory, lacking a substantial storyline. However, the movie managed to wrap up on a somewhat positive note, leaving me with a feel-good sentiment despite its shortcomings.
It's worth noting that I had the privilege of viewing this film at TIFF, where ticket prices were notably higher than usual. TIFF premium screenings typically include appearances by the cast, and my wife had eagerly anticipated seeing more members of the cast e.g. Jenna Ortega live. Unfortunately, her absence was a disappointment to her. Additionally, prior to the screening, Google erroneously listed Jake Gyllenhaal and Zendaya in the cast, further elevating my expectations. While these factors may not directly impact my rating (which I tried to base primarily on my watching experience), they undoubtedly contributed to my elevated hopes, particularly given Gyllenhaal's impressive track record in exceptional crime/thriller films like "Nightcrawler."
It's worth noting that I had the privilege of viewing this film at TIFF, where ticket prices were notably higher than usual. TIFF premium screenings typically include appearances by the cast, and my wife had eagerly anticipated seeing more members of the cast e.g. Jenna Ortega live. Unfortunately, her absence was a disappointment to her. Additionally, prior to the screening, Google erroneously listed Jake Gyllenhaal and Zendaya in the cast, further elevating my expectations. While these factors may not directly impact my rating (which I tried to base primarily on my watching experience), they undoubtedly contributed to my elevated hopes, particularly given Gyllenhaal's impressive track record in exceptional crime/thriller films like "Nightcrawler."