The Assessment
2024
***½
Director: Fleur Fortuné
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander, Himesh Patel, Indira Varma, Nicholas Pinnock, Charlotte Ritchie, Leah Harvey, Minnie Driver, Anaya Thorley
In a dystopian future where the state strictly controls all aspects of reproduction, a married couple faces a tense seven-day assessment to prove their suitability for parenthood. Fleur Fortuné's feature debut is a stylish, understated, and wonderfully unhinged science fiction drama, which offers a fresh twist on a Handmaid's Tale-like scenario. All the performances are great, but Alicia Vikander has a particularly juicy role as the assessor, who not only observes but also manipulates and springs traps on the couple.
Lisa Frankenstein
2024
**
Director: Zelda Williams
Cast: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, Carla Gugino, Jenna Davis, Bryce Romero, Joey Harris, Sylvia Grace Crim
In 1989, Lisa Swallows, a lonely teenage goth girl accidentally reanimates the corpse of a Victorian-era man. The two embark on a journey involving revenge and body part harvesting. Zelda Williams' feature debut was scripted by Diablo Cody. This gothic horror comedy is closer to Jennifer's Body than Juno, but what it most resembles is Corpse Bride, and some other works by Tim Burton. However, the problem is that all the characters are caricatures and I didn't find the film funny at all.
The Hunt
2020
***½
Director: Graig Zobel
Cast: Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Ike Barinholtz, Emma Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Glenn Howerton, Amy Madigan, Reed Birney, Sturgill Simpson, Macon Blair
11 strangers wake up in a remote location and discover that they are being hunted for sport. Who is behind it all and why were these particular people chosen? Craig Zobel's entertaining thriller takes a satirical swipe at the divide between the working class and the elite. The film is short, fast-paced, and disposable, but good fun. Betty Gilpin gives an amusing performance as Crystal, one of the hunted who attempts to turn the tables on her pursuers.
I Saw the TV Glow
2024
**
Director: Jane Schoenbrun
Cast: Justice Smith, Jack Haven, Helena Howard, Lindsey Jordan, Conner O'Malley, Emma Portner, Ian Foreman, Fred Durst, Danielle Deadwyler
Two teenage outcasts bond over their shared obsession with a mysterious TV show named The Pink Opaque, which appears more real than their own lives. Jane Schoenbrun's mystery blurs reality and fiction in the vein of Lost Highway, Donnie Darko, and Videodrome. The film should be right up my alley, but I didn’t feel engaged with it at any point. The over-saturated visuals and Justice Smith's sadsack character didn't help matters. The story ends up covering a 30-year time span and it's apparently an allegory for being transgender or coming out.
A Hidden Life
2019
****½
Director: Terrence Malick
Cast: August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Maria Simon, Karin Neuhäuser, Tobias Moretti, Bruno Ganz, Ulrich Matthes, Franz Rogowski, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Nyqvist
Aware that it could cost him his life, Franz Jägerstätter, a devoutly Catholic Austrian farmer, refuses to fight for the Nazis or swear an oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler. Terrence Malick's long but powerful and beautiful drama about moral courage and defiance (and manual labour) is based on a true story. The narrative is clearer than in most of Malick's output, but this is still unmistakably his film; the dreamy atmosphere, stunning visuals, and whispery voiceover are giveaways. The cast is mostly German-speaking, and while the background chatter remains in their native language, the dialogue and narration are in English. August Diehl and Valerie Pachner give excellent performances.
Lee
2023
***
Director: Ellen Kuras
Cast: Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough, Alexander Skarsgård, Josh O'Connor, Andy Samberg, Zita Hanrot, Noémie Merlant, Sam Waterston, Sadie Frost
In the early 1940s, Lee Miller is a photographer for the Vogue magazine in London. After D-Day, she decides to join the Allied forces in the frontline to capture the horrors of war through her lens. Her wartime pictures were rediscovered after her death in 1977, which transformed her into a feminist icon. Miller's story has been a long-time passion project for Kate Winslet, and she is predictably brilliant as Lee, who is not the most affable person in the world. There are a few poignant scenes, but otherwise this is a disappointingly conventional biopic, which is unable to get under the skin of its protagonist. The interview framing device (with a twist) is unnecessary. Based on Antony Penrose's 1985 book The Lives of Lee Miller.
IF
2024
*½
Director: John Krasinski
Cast: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Steve Carell, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Sam Rockwell, Richard Jenkins, Awkwafina, George Clooney, Blake Lively, Bradley Cooper, Amy Schumer, Keegan-Michael Key
To cope with family tragedies, 12-year-old Bea has had to abandon childish things and act all grown-up. At her grandmother's apartment building, she discovers a hidden world of forgotten imaginary friends (IFs). John Krasinski's family movie starts with a very flimsy premise, and it never recovers from that. Bea's efforts to reunite the IFs with their original companions become repetitive and boring. For a comedy, it has very few, if any, laughs. Cailey Fleming gives a nice lead performance, though.
Peluri - Kuolema on elävien ongelma (Death Is a Problem for the Living)
2023
**½
Director: Teemu Nikki
Cast: Pekka Strang, Jari Virman, Elina Knihtilä, Hannamaija Nikander, Pihla Penttinen, Samuli Jaskio
Risto has gambled away his home and family, and Arto has literally lost his brain. These two dejected individuals end up running a hearse service for a grim gambling operation. Following the delightful The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic (2021), Teemu Nikki returns to the miserablism of Euthanizer (2017). This dark comedy is consistently implausible but rarely funny, and Nikki fails to elicit any sympathy from me for the desperate main characters.
Snack Shack
2024
**
Director: Adam Carter Rehmeier
Cast: Conor Sherry, Gabriel LaBelle, Mika Abdalla, David Costabile, Nick Robinson, Gillian Vigman, Shane Workman, A.J. Carter, Moose Miller, Jean Carter
In the summer of 1991, teenagers A.J. and Moose try to make money any way they can. They end up operating a successful snack shack at the community pool, but a beautiful new lifeguard threatens to drive a wedge between the two friends. Adam Carter Rehmeier's comedy is based on his personal experiences growing up in Nebraska City, but unfortunately his memories seem to be the same as everyone else's in just about every one last summer coming-of-age story ever made. The most obvious reference points are Adventureland and The Way, Way Back. It would help if I could stand A.J. and Moose, or believe that they are 14 years old. This movie was brought to you by Nike, Coca Cola, and many other corporate sponsors.
Omenavarkaat (Apple Thieves)
2024
***
Director: Samppa Batal
Cast: Joel Hirvonen, Satu Tuuli Karhu, Sami Lalou, Alex Anton, Isla Mustanoja, Esa-Matti Smolander, Asta Sveholm, Antti Autio, Mikko Kouki
Following a difficult break-up, Sebastian goes out with his friends. During the night, he crosses paths with Satu, who is in a dead-end relationship. Samppa Batal's minimalistic drama comedy offers believable young characters, lively performances, naturalistic dialogue, and delightful (mostly) black and white cinematography. In the second half, everyone's drunk, and it starts to feel like a chore to watch.
Revenge
2017
****
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Cast: Matilda Lutz, Kevin Janssens, Vincent Colombe, Guillaume Bouchède, Jean-Louis Tribes
A young alluring woman is assaulted and left for dead in the desert by her lover and his two friends, who have arrived for a hunting trip. She survives against odds and plans to face her attackers. Coralie Fargeat's directorial debut is a fabulously entertaining and visually stunning rape revenge thriller, and definitely one of the most blood-soaked films I've ever seen. The story subverts traditional revenge tropes, and it offers a truly cinematic experience.
Wiener-Dog
2016
***½
Director: Todd Solondz
Cast: Greta Gerwig, Julie Delpy, Danny DeVito, Ellen Burstyn, Kieran Culkin, Tracy Letts, Zosia Mamet, Keaton Nigel Cooke, Clara Mamet, Michael James Shaw
In the recent times, Todd Solondz has moved entirely into anthology films. This darkly comic collection of stories traces a dachshund's journey through four different owners: a boy recovering from cancer, a veterinary assistant, a disillusioned screenwriter, and an elderly woman. Like all of Solondz's work, it is intermittently hilarious, weird, and unsettling. The second half is the stronger one. The overall message could be summed up as "be more positive".
La nuit se traîne (Night Call)
2024
****
Director: Michiel Blanchart
Cast: Jonathan Feltre, Natacha Krief, Romain Duris, Jonas Bloquet, Thomas Mustin, Sam Louwyck, Nabill Mallat, Claire Bodson, Graham Guit, Marco Maas
Mady is a student who moonlights as a locksmith in Brussels. When he opens a door to a woman who disappears with a bag of money, a ruthless mobster gives Mady one night to find the money and save his life. Michiel Blanchart's feature debut is a twisty and entertaining 90-minute thriller, which makes the most of its simple premise. Apparently Blanchart was influenced by Collateral, and that is clear particularly in the film's beautiful nighttime visuals. Jonathan Feltre gives a great performance as the resourceful protagonist.
The Immigrant
2013
***½
Director: James Gray
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner, Angela Sarafyan, Dagmara Dominczyk, Antoni Corone, Ilia Volok, Jicky Schnee, Maja Wampuszyc, Yelena Solovey
In 1921, two Polish sisters, Magda and Ewa, arrive at Ellis Island. While Magda is quarantined for illness, Ewa moves in with Bruno, a seemingly helpful man with a hidden agenda. James Gray's immigration drama is based on the experiences his grandparents had when they emigrated from Ukraine. This is a compelling film with well-drawn, multi-layered characters (Bruno is a controlling manipulator, but he is not a one-note villain). However, I could have lived without the unnecessary love triangle. Marion Cotillard gives an understated but very powerful performance.
99 Homes
2014
***½
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, Laura Dern, Tim Guinee, Noah Lomax, Clancy Brown, J.D. Evermore, Cullen Moss, Dennis Nash, Carl Palmer
In the aftermath of the 2008 housing crisis, a jobless construction worker loses his family home to a ruthless property flipper. To secure a future for his family, he agrees to work for the developer and help him evict other struggling families. Ramin Bahrani's thought-provoking drama may not be based on real events, but it easily could be. The film delivers a grim and unsettling portrayal of the rich exploiting the poor, but Bahrani doesn't have the guts to bring his story to a propely cynical conclusion. Andrew Garfield gives a powerful performance, and Michael Shannon is great as well, even if he's typecast.
Hevimpi reissu (Heavier Trip)
2024
***
Director: Juuso Laatio, Jukka Vidgren
Cast: Johannes Holopainen, Max Ovaska, Chike Ohanwe, Samuli Jaskio, Anatole Taubman, Helén Vikstvedt, Martti Syrjä, David Bredin, Babymetal
Following the events of Heavy Trip (2018), the members of Impaled Rektum are incarcerated in a Norwegian prison. When a family tragedy hits, the guys plan an escape in order to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany. The sequel was clearly spurred by the first film's international success, as the band members now spend only about five minutes in their home country and most of the dialogue is in English. That's all fine and well, but the formulaic story pretty much repeats the beats of the original. The characters are as loveable as before, but the comedy feels a bit forced.
Sing Street
2016
****
Director: John Carney
Cast: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Aidan Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Jack Reynor, Kelly Thornton, Mark McKenna, Ben Carolan, Percy Chamburuka, Karl Rice, Conor Hamilton, Ian Kenny, Lydia McGuinness, Don Wycherley
In 1985 Dublin, 15-year-old Conor starts at a new Catholic school and forms a band to impress a mysterious girl, using music to escape the dreariness of his feuding parents and strict school life. John Carney's charming Irish coming-of-age comedy drama is a testament to self-expression and the power of music, and obviously love. Conor's musical and stylistic transformation through the works of Duran Duran, The Cure, The Clash, Hall & Oates, etc. is very enjoyable. And the Sing Street tunes are catchy, as well.
Aurora
2019
****½
Director: Miia Tervo
Cast: Mimosa Willamo, Amir Escandari, Ria Kataja, Chike Ohanwe, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Oona Airola, Pamela Tola, Miitta Sorvali, Elá Yildirim, Julius Susimäki
In Finnish Lapland, a spirited party girl Aurora lives a care-free life. That is, until she meets Darian, an Iranian refugee seeking asylum for himself and his young daughter. Miia Tervo's delightful feature debut blends romantic comedy, drama, and social commentary into a funny and unique whole. Tervo's story includes some hilariously memorable characters, such as Miitta Sorvali as the smut-mouthed old lady and Chike Ohanwe as the black man who is prejudiced against immigrants.
Sinners
2025
***½
Director: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li, Buddy Guy
In 1932, the SmokeStack twins return from Chicago to Mississippi to open a juke joint with stolen money. The opening evening has a joyous start, but it suddenly takes a dark turn when evil forces begin to gather around the joint. Ryan Coogler's ambitious period film mixes Southern Gothic, Hoodoo magic, racial tensions, graphic horror, and blues music into an unusual concoction, which feels fresh and vibrant but not terribly meaningful. Ludwig Goransson's blues-influenced soundtrack is a breath of fresh air.
Nowhere Special
2020
****
Director: Uberto Pasolini
Cast: James Norton, Daniel Lamont, Eileen O'Higgins, Valerie O'Connor, Chris Corrigan, Keith McErlean, Caolan Byrne, Michelle Fairley, Niamh McGrady, Stella McCusker
John, a terminally ill window cleaner and single father, attempts to find a new family for his 4-year-old son, Michael. As John faces the inevitability of his death, he does his best to prepare Michael. Uberto Pasolini's moving, low-key drama doesn't offer visual fireworks or dramatic twists. It tells its simple, heartbreaking story beautifully, believably, and without clichés. James Norton gives an understated lead performance.
The Mustang
2019
****
Director: Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
Cast: Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Mitchell, Bruce Dern, Gideon Adlon, Connie Britton, Josh Stewart, Kelly Richards, Noel Gugliemi, Thomas Smittle, Santana Dempsey
Roman Coleman is serving time in a Nevada prison, which offers a rehabilitation program where the convicts train wild horses. Roman, who carries a lot of bottled-up anger, bonds with a particularly unruly mustang. Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre feature debut is a subtle and minimalistic but powerful drama about a man who finds a path toward healing his troubled past. Matthias Schoenaerts gives an intense lead performance.
The Cloverfield Paradox
2018
**
Director: Julius Onah
Cast: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Oyelowo, Daniel Brühl, John Ortiz, Chris O'Dowd, Aksel Hennie, Zhang Ziyi, Elizabeth Debicki, Roger Davies, Clover Nee
In a future where people have becomes so dumb that they can only produce energy by burning fossil fuel, Earth faces a critical energy crisis. To fix this, a crew of scientists test a particle accelerator in space, but the experiment appears to tear the space time fabric. This derivative science fiction film is very loosely connected to Cloverfield and 10 Cloverfield Lane. In essence, a bunch of stuff happens in space, but very little of it makes sense and even less of it is memorable.
Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1
2024
**½
Director: Kevin Costner
Cast: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jamie Campbell Bower, Luke Wilson, Thomas Haden Church, Jena Malone, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Tatanka Means
Kevin Costner's epic 3-hour Western chronicles the expansion and settlement of the American West in the 1860s, and it shows the harsh realities of frontier life. There are three (so far) unconnected stories set in the Arizona Territory, Montana Territory, and on the Santa Fe Trail. This is the first of four projected films, and it delivers three beginnings, but no middles, and no ends. In terms of pacing and style, this looks like a three-episode TV show followed by a teaser for the next season. The first hour is reasonably compelling, but the film gradually loses its grip as it goes along. Costner himself plays a horse trader who shoots a man to protect a prostitute.
Perhoset (Butterflies)
2024
***½
Director: Jenni Toivoniemi
Cast: Aksa Korttila, Jani Volanen, Leea Klemola, Alex Anton, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Aleksi Holkko, Katja Küttner, Miro Lopperi, Jarkko Pajunen, Eeva Soivio
An over-stressed career woman is forced to stay in her hometown during the annual Tango Festival and reconnect with her estranged father, who is going through financial and personal crises. Jenni Toivoniemi's subtle and sympathetic comedy features a group a well-drawn characters going through funny and understated comic set-ups. The performances are warm. Scripted by Anna Brotkin.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
2022
****
Director: Eric Appel
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson, Quinta Brunson, Will Forte, Jack Black, Conan O'Brien, Lin-Manuel Miranda
Al Yankovic struggles to realise his dream of playing accordion and singing parody versions of well-known songs, but he finally gets his break. This satirical biopic blends fact and fiction to tell a story of "Weird Al" Yankovic and his literally unbelievable escapades, which include a fictional romance with Madonna and a violent confrontation with his number one fan, Pablo Escobar. The film is very funny and Daniel Radcliffe gives a strong lead performance.
Uprising
2024
****
Director: Kim Sang-man
Cast: Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Seon-kyu, Jung Sung-il, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yoon-hong, Kim Hyun, Jin Jae-hee, Lee Yoon-sang
Lee Jong-ryeo and Cheon Yeong were once childhood friends despite being a master and a slave, respectively. During the 16th century Japanese invasions of Korea, the two find themselves on opposing sides of a brutal conflict. This Korean historical action drama was co-scripted by Park Chan-wook, who was slated to direct it as well. Kim Sang-man took over, and the end result is gripping, entertaining, moving, and visually stunning.
Candyman
2021
***
Director: Nia DaCosta
Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Vanessa Williams, Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Kyle Kaminsky, Brian King, Carl Clemons-Hopkins
An aspiring black artist becomes captivated with the dark history of Chicago's gentrified Cabrini-Green neighborhood and the legend of Candyman. Nia DaCosta's passable sequel references the events and characters of the wonderful 1992 horror film. It then creates a new story around Candyman, the murderous spirit who can be summoned by calling his name five times in front of a mirror. There are some nice scares but very few surprises.
Side Effects
2013
***
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum, Vinessa Shaw, Ann Dowd, Polly Draper, Mamie Gummer, Michael Nathanson, Laila Robins
A young woman is prescribed a new experimental drug for her depression. When she commits a shocking crime while under its influence, her dishonoured psychiatrist becomes suspicious. Steven Soderbergh's smooth film starts as an intriguing drama about ethics, overmedication, and pharmaceutical corruption, but it gradually morphs into a more conventional thriller involving murder and deceit. Although it's all compelling and entertaining stuff, Scott Z. Burns' script covers the what and how but not the why. Rooney Mara gives a strong performance, though.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
2020
**½
Director: Jason Woliner
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova, Tom Hanks, Dani Popescu, Manuel Vieru, Miroslav Tolj, Alin Popa, Ion Gheorghe, Nicolae Gheorghe, Marcela Codrea
When Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev travels to the US to deliver a gift to Vice President Mike Pence, his daughter, Tutar, has stowed away with him. Like Borat (2006), this belated sequel mixes scripted comedy with real-world interactions. Although Borat now has to disguise himself to gain access to the bigots, misogynists, and racists across the country, the satire on politics, gender roles, and American society feels too familiar, cringey, and increasingly scripted. The film was shot during the Covid-19 epidemic, and the virus is nicely incorporated into the story.
Cuando acecha la maldad (When Evil Lurks)
2023
***
Director: Demián Rugna
Cast: Ezequiel Rodríguez, Demián Salomón, Luis Ziembrowski, Silvia Sabater, Marcelo Michinaux, Emiliano Vargas, Paula Rubinsztein, Desirée Salgueiro, Virginia Garófalo, Federico Liss
Two brothers stumble on a man infected by a demonic presence, and inadvertently unleash a series of horrifying events on their community. This Argentinian horror film builds its own possession mythology, introduces a set of rules, and gives us a group of characters who constantly break these rules. Demián Rugna also breaks the genre norm by ignoring who you can and who you can't kill. This leads to some powerful and horrific scenes, but the events, all in all, have disappointing inevitability, no matter what the brothers do.
Hevi reissu (Heavy Trip)
2018
****
Director: Juuso Laatio, Jukka Vidgren
Cast: Johannes Holopainen, Samuli Jaskio, Antti Heikkinen, Max Ovaska, Chike Ohanwe, Minka Kuustonen, Ville Tiihonen, Kai Lehtinen, Rune Temte, Martti Syrjä
Turo leads the amateur metal band Impaled Rektum, who hope to perform at a Norwegian metal festival. Only overblown expectations and Turo's stage fright stand in the way of these four friends. This Finnish comedy about a symphonic post-apocalyptic reindeer-grinding Christ-abusing extreme war pagan fennoscandian metal band starts as a rather conventional story about a clash between big dreams and small-town small-mindedness. However, the second half really lets loose and the climactic trip to Norway is hilarious. Followed by Heavier Trip.
Nightbitch
2024
***½
Director: Marielle Heller
Cast: Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland, Kerry O'Malley, Ella Thomas, Laura Meadows, Jessica Harper, Emmett James Snowden, Arleigh Patrick Snowden
An exhausted and disillusioned stay-at-home mom becomes increasingly convinced that motherhood is literally transforming her. Amy Adams delivers a reliably great performance as a woman overwhelmed by the demands and frustrations of her new life. For the first two-thirds, Marielle Heller's dark comedy is enjoyably wacky and funny, with a touch of body horror. However, the final third shifts into a more conventional and formulaic direction. Heller adapted the script from Rachel Yoder's 2021 novel.
Pikku Siperia (Little Siberia)
2025
*½
Director: Dome Karukoski
Cast: Eero Ritala, Malla Malmivaara, Tommi Korpela, Martti Suosalo, Rune Temte, Jenni Banerjee, Haymon Maria Buttinger, Janne Hyyryläinen, Severi Saarinen
While a meteorite crash draws shady characters to Hurmevaara, the village priest, who guards the potentially valuable meteorite, suffers crises of faith and marriage. Dome Karukoski's crime comedy was adapted from Antti Tuomainen's 2018 novel, which is surprising because the stupid and highly implausible story is the weakest aspect of the film. The characters are clichéd and forgettable, but Peter Flinckenberg's moody cinematography and Panu Aaltio's unusual soundtrack are worth mentioning.
Burning
2018
****
Director: Lee Chang-dong
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Soo-kyung, Choi Seung-ho, Min Bok-gi, Lee Bong-ryun, Moon Sung-keun, Seo Jeong-yeon, Kim Shin-rok
A young man named Jong-su reconnects with a childhood acquaintance, who returns from a trip with a mysterious and wealthy man. Tensions begin to grow, particularly when she becomes unattainable. This subtle Korean psychological drama about obsession and revenge cleverly plays with our perception. Jong-su concludes what happened, but is that what actually happened? This is a powerful and slow-burning film, but it doesn't need to be 148 minutes long.
Trap
2024
**½
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Night Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, Alison Pill, Jonathan Langdon, Mark Bacolcol, Marnie McPhail-Diamond, Scott Mescudi, Russell "Russ" Vitale
Cooper takes his 12-year-old daughter Riley to pop star Lady Raven's concert. When the venue is suddenly swarming with police, Cooper, secretly a serial killer, tries to evade capture and hide it all from Riley. Apparently M. Night Shyamalan created his latest twisty thriller to showcase his daughter's music. Saleka Night Shyamalan plays Lady Raven, and she is a much better singer than actor. Although the central conceit, 20,000 innocent people put in jeopardy to catch one murdering madman, is stupid, Cooper's first half attempts to escape his predicament are entertaining and darkly funny. However, the second half becomes incredibly silly and preposterous. Josh Hartnett gives a suitably unhinged lead performance.
