It is rather interesting in an odd way that many films being released during the pandemic are of the dark and creepy variety. You would think that we would create or crave light content. Something we can watch in order to forget what is going on. Instead what has come out at this time seems to match our COVID existence.
A British-Dutch production directed by Paula van der Oest (The Domino Effect, Black Butterflies) which is an attempt at a thriller. I write attempt because it is not exactly successful.
Will (Claes Bang – The Square, The Girl in the Spider’s Web) and Rosalind (Olga Kurylenko – Quantum of Solace, Oblivion) get engaged while on a romantic vacation. Once married, their family, Rosalind has twin girls from a previous relationship, is going to expand as she is pregnant.
She gives birth to a son and the family is a happy, loving one. After moving into a new house, Will begins to notice some behavioural shifts in his wife. They become more and more obvious.
Soon Rosalind, their baby and the twin girls are gone. Without a trace or Will knowing where. He is frantic. Will turns to his wealthy father-in-law (Brian Cox – from television’s Succession) for help.
A lot is thrown at the viewer in this film. (Though it moves along a creeping pace) Plenty like dark cinematography, a twisting script complete with several red herrings, a great number of supporting characters who leave just as quickly as they are introduced, and a often distracting score.
Secondary story upon secondary story. Instead of them adding to the intrigue they just make things a jumble. A jumble which you become so exasperated with that you are indifferent about the outcome. A thriller in which the thrill is gone. Not a winning formula.
Not all is amiss with this film. Director van der Oest does make some good choices here. The atmosphere is note perfect. Really works to amp up the chills. Wisely starting the romantic, we are the perfect couple part in picturesque Italy while the tense parts take place in grey, coastal France. A nice Gothic touch. Too bad it is not enough to save the film.
