J B

Immersive arthouse war movie. Not really a sci-fi/horror movie even though it is set in an alternate future on a remote and dangerous military sea fort. I found it captivating, but fair warning it would make a good stage play: this is dialogue and character driven entertainment that is nuanced with next to no exposition. Most of the 1-2 star reviews here are from people who missed key plot points completely and did not understand what happens. This is about war, exactly how only becomes clear at the end after a few very clever twists.

Quietly compelling neo-noir sleeper that inverts genre conventions and undermines cinema's glorification of violence and domination

This is an entertaining movie that doesn't stick the ending. Gyllenhaal and McGregor are both well-cast but some of the other characters are not and the whole ensemble doesn't quite gel (although the Road House staff ensemble does).

Haven't read the book and went in with no expectations but this movie is definitely a 5-star, as Brian Tallerico put it (having just read his review post-watch): "If you’re a fan of those ‘00s standalone thrillers" i.e. "the films that typically starred Angelina Jolie or Ashley Judd based on books that everyone read on a beach a few years earlier... [it] earns your suspension of disbelief. " Excellent performance by Liu (whoever she is). Very effective cinematography, great atmosphere. On point pacing, tight script. Contemporary Hitchcock tones (who else does that anymore?). Sat down, watched it through without seeking distractions. Anything that solidly catches the attention these days is worth a five.

True crime documentaries take the perspective of either the victim/family/community, the perpetrator, or the investigators. This is a quality entry in the last category. Given that investigation-focused content is less frequently produced than the other types, it is a welcome addition. People who seek out the first perspective should be warned that there is little here for them. The second season improves on the first and has the benefit of compelling and atmospheric cinematography and very good production values. Viewer engagement requires overlooking the somewhat contrived convention of discussions (many one-sided phone calls that are fairly obviously staged for the camera man) between the criminal psychologist David Wilson, and the experienced true-crime presenter (and actress, but she's getting quite good at non-dramatic presentation work) Emilia Fox. This is basically the only non-dramatic way to communicate investigative avenues and activity. I will not speak for the family members of victims but in terms of the justice value, the show does fill the gap that exists in cases where trials will never be held and the likely perpetrator is dead, and that is a meaningful community service. They cannot succeed in this with every episode because this is about real life. The show also gives a very realistic depiction of challenges experienced by the police without flinching when confronted with probable police incompetence (and a couple of instances where the police themselves admitted failures under subsequent review). In a nutshell this is a show for people who like watching true crime documentaries that take the perspective of police, criminologists, forensic scientists and other experts, rather than family and community members, or perpetrators. It does not indulge in gratuitous, immature or salacious punditry. For drama-watchers, this is for people who liked Unforgotten despite Nicola Walker's hyper-emotional portrayal of DCI Cassie Stuart and not because of it.

Engaging and ultimately pretty entertaining. Better pacing than many movies and some really good ensemble dynamics. Script has deft moments and it is a well-structured plot. Overall a professional and experienced cast, well directed, and well produced. For a movie (rather than a film) you can't really ask for more than this: entertaining, not a time waster.

Great story telling, visually spectacular. Think this is a re-watcher just for the landscapes and several intriguing performances. This movie fills a primordial shamanistic experience hole in my life I did not know was there, and for that I am grateful. For anyone who has seen "Hold the Dark" this is definitely a notch or two less dark and violent. Skarsgard is maybe mellowing slightly in middle age (happy thought). Definitely a Gen X-ish movie, as it should be.