About a half hour in, it's easy to see where this film is headed so when the big "twists" come, it's no twist at all, it's just a feeling of, "You're finally admitting what we already know?" I'm a fan of the lead actors and the end has a very exciting thriller sequence but the story wasn't exactly groundbreaking.
117 Reviews
Nonsense
atractiveeyes4 April 2021
I accidentally came across this film and decided to see it for its interesting cast. But those great actors unfortunately couldn't save it from its dull story. I wouldn't lie I did enjoy it and was involved in it but all in all it's just rubbish nonsense. It's stupid and easily predictable. Cinematography and the whole gloomy atmosphere of the film are beautiful though.
just weak nonsense storyline
sergnd3 April 2021
Oh dear
liverbird2823 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Well firstly what was that hideous monotonous sound effect masquerading as music, playing right through the film? It was hard to hear the dialogue, not that it mattered very much. A stupid title that had no bearing on the content, Casey Affleck sleep-walking through the entire movie in his usual deep depression and an almost unrecognisable Sam Claflin playing the psycho. What's he done to himself? Huge weight loss and apparently new teeth. If you didn't guess he was a baddie from the first minute we saw him, you must have been asleep.
Lovely setting though.
Lovely setting though.
It's really not that bad
marplelaura6 August 2021
Not sure why all the negative reviews. I enjoyed it! It's a little slow at first but stick with it because the story gets interesting and you'll be trying to piece together what is happening. I see people saying "it's been done before" but who cares. It was entertaining! Just give it a try.
What a load of gibberish nonsense.
LordCommandar3 April 2021
In this day and age of social media, high tech, and mental health awareness, there were just way too many nonsensicals in this one film. Famly grief, unwarranted infidelity, bad parenting, silly crushes and a English accent does not make a movie great. The audience needs a solid story to follow and a decent build up to a climax to relate and enjoy. What a load gibberish nonsense for the 2021 viewing audience. You will know the whole premise of the story after watching only 10 mins of it. Thats how predictable and nonsensical the plot is. Watch it once and forget about it. A storyline that has been done over way too many times.
Psychiatric thriller filmed in British Columbia.
TxMike10 October 2021
This movie has a relatively low rating for its fine cast and I naturally wondered why. Now, having seen it, I know why. When it was over I asked my wife, "Of all the movies you have watched would this one be in the upper third, the middle third, or the lower third?" She quickly responded, "Definitely in the lower third."
Plus Casey Affleck has this frequent habit of mumbling his lines and a couple of times I was forced to turn on the subtitles. He is experienced enough, there is no longer an excuse for that.
The core of the story is the death of a psychiatric patient, seemingly from suicide. This came right after she was no longer considered suicidal. But as things develop that becomes in question and the man who claims to be her brother might really be someone else.
As a type of revenge the stranger blames the psychiatrist and systematically begins to dismantle his family. Sam Claflin as the bad guy is actually the best performance here.
On DVD from my public library. Set in Washington state but filmed in British Columbia. Curiously the title it says I am reviewing is "You Belong To Me." Maybe that was an earlier, working title.
Plus Casey Affleck has this frequent habit of mumbling his lines and a couple of times I was forced to turn on the subtitles. He is experienced enough, there is no longer an excuse for that.
The core of the story is the death of a psychiatric patient, seemingly from suicide. This came right after she was no longer considered suicidal. But as things develop that becomes in question and the man who claims to be her brother might really be someone else.
As a type of revenge the stranger blames the psychiatrist and systematically begins to dismantle his family. Sam Claflin as the bad guy is actually the best performance here.
On DVD from my public library. Set in Washington state but filmed in British Columbia. Curiously the title it says I am reviewing is "You Belong To Me." Maybe that was an earlier, working title.
Nice Rainy Day Movie!
gabni7 August 2021
I don't know with all the bad reviews are about. The movie is good. I liked the scenery, the tone. The movie was bright, the acting was decent. I liked the movie. It is the perfect movie to watch on a rainy day when you want to relax and watch something a little edgy but not too crazy.
Raining In My Heart
JICNZ11 May 2021
It clearly rained every single day of their filming of this flaccid movie. I genuinely think everyone got depressed by this. True, the characters were recovering from the death of a child, but still, you have to give the audience something to root for, some personality trait that makes you want this family to survive. Everything is shot in monotones. Rooms are dark, somber. People mope. And it rains. I've given two stars for the scenery, despite the rain. Shot in Vancouver, apparently, I got the impression the director, depressed himself, said to his camera crew, 'For God's sake, get some shots of snow-covered mountains emerging out of the mist. Perhaps people will take that as metaphor for hope at the end of this damp squid." It's not good when you're hoping the psychopath might actually kill the teenager and put us all out of our misery.
Underrated
Draysan-Jennings7 April 2021
After reading some of the reviews, I was expecting a total flop. The first 15 minutes dragged, but in the end this movie wasn't as bad as people are saying. Ya It was slow at times, but I wouldn't call it a waste of time. How can someone only give this film one star. It definitely wasn't that bad. It had a decent plot, good acting and I liked the twist in the end. Not a movie I'd watch again but it definitely deserves a better rating then 1 star.
frustrating
SnoopyStyle23 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Grace (Michelle Monaghan) loses her son in a car accident. Her stepdaughter Lucy (India Eisley) gets kicked out of school for drug use. Her psychiatrist husband Philip (Casey Affleck) is treating troubled patient Daphne (Emily Alyn Lind) in an unconventional way. When she commits suicide, her brother James (Sam Claflin) is devastated.
The cast is A minus but the writing is C plus at best. There is too much filler which slows the thriller down. More than anything, this movie keeps going back to two frustrating tropes. The first one is understandable but is annoying nevertheless. Basically, one character dares another by offering to do the exact right thing. The other character would get embarrassed and not do that exact right thing. It's meant to build tension but it's too obvious and it keeps repeating. The other move is the characters not communicating with each other. Most of the problems can be solved if they would just tell each other what's going on. They keep not telling the whole story and problems ensue. It's a bad writing device and the movie keeps doing it. All of it makes this a rather frustrating thriller.
The cast is A minus but the writing is C plus at best. There is too much filler which slows the thriller down. More than anything, this movie keeps going back to two frustrating tropes. The first one is understandable but is annoying nevertheless. Basically, one character dares another by offering to do the exact right thing. The other character would get embarrassed and not do that exact right thing. It's meant to build tension but it's too obvious and it keeps repeating. The other move is the characters not communicating with each other. Most of the problems can be solved if they would just tell each other what's going on. They keep not telling the whole story and problems ensue. It's a bad writing device and the movie keeps doing it. All of it makes this a rather frustrating thriller.
Good film
madmaywebdesign5 April 2021
I don't understand the bad reviews. This is a good physiological thriller that is worthy of a decent rating. The storyline was pretty simple but had some good twists. It is worth watching, especially in 2021 when our options are limited. Given the reviews, I was not expecting much but this was a pleasant surprise.
I think people are missing some major pieces
durzig13 September 2021
Is it predictable? Yeah a bit, that being said it's difficult to find a title that isn't anymore. Is it cliche? Also yes.
But the pacing was lovely, the characters developed, the visuals were beautiful, and the conflicts were real and understandable.
This film doesn't seem like much on the surface but if you're good with people or especially if you have a background in psych you'll recognize the minutia of the antagonists manipulation and be disgusted, the gestures of acceptance and healthy growth, and the conflicts these characters work through themselves. Excellent examples of both healthy communication and crippling miscommunication.
The reason I'm giving this one a 7 is the blatant conflict of interest the main characters were involved in which would have easily prevented the whole affair, and the hockey skates. However symbolic or convenient, just dumb.
But the pacing was lovely, the characters developed, the visuals were beautiful, and the conflicts were real and understandable.
This film doesn't seem like much on the surface but if you're good with people or especially if you have a background in psych you'll recognize the minutia of the antagonists manipulation and be disgusted, the gestures of acceptance and healthy growth, and the conflicts these characters work through themselves. Excellent examples of both healthy communication and crippling miscommunication.
The reason I'm giving this one a 7 is the blatant conflict of interest the main characters were involved in which would have easily prevented the whole affair, and the hockey skates. However symbolic or convenient, just dumb.
VIEWS ON FILM review of Every Breath You Take
burlesonjesse56 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Family is all there is and you have a great one". That's a quote from 2021's Every Breath You Take. Whenever someone says something like that in a movie, you know they're being way too nice. They should have a label on their chest that says, "I'm the bad guy and I've got a hidden agenda".
Anyway, Casey Affleck stars in "Breath" and he gives his usual, Affleck-like performance (raw, drained, and acute). He's not the bad guy per se, he's just having a stifling bad week. His daughter won't talk to him, his wife makes him feel guilty constantly, he's buried in his notepad, and his psychiatrist license is about to be revoked. Hey, someone get this dude a beer stat. Or maybe a stiff drink at 80 proof.
Every Breath You Take for better or worse (I'll go with worse), is a choppy thriller with a dubious title. Put it this way, I'd rather listen to The Police's hit single circa 1983 than see "Breath" again. Sure "Breath" is atmospheric and sure it has an obsession with overhead shots of characters driving along scenic roads. But where's the "wow" moment after 105 chewed over minutes? I didn't see it and the abrupt, mano a mano ending didn't help things either.
A psychotic brother messes with the family of a shrink whose patient was his dead sister. That's the blueprinted plot of "Breath" and that's great. Do we as the audience care? Not really. Said brother is basically cray cray and has no real incitement for being cray cray. In fact, he's not really the brother but the boyfriend. "Breath's" director (Vaughn Stein) offers this twist and at the same time, he veers right into amateur hour. He needs to "breathe" deep and lament with whatever project he decides to do next. Hey, you could try comedy next time Vaughn. Rating: 2 stars.
Anyway, Casey Affleck stars in "Breath" and he gives his usual, Affleck-like performance (raw, drained, and acute). He's not the bad guy per se, he's just having a stifling bad week. His daughter won't talk to him, his wife makes him feel guilty constantly, he's buried in his notepad, and his psychiatrist license is about to be revoked. Hey, someone get this dude a beer stat. Or maybe a stiff drink at 80 proof.
Every Breath You Take for better or worse (I'll go with worse), is a choppy thriller with a dubious title. Put it this way, I'd rather listen to The Police's hit single circa 1983 than see "Breath" again. Sure "Breath" is atmospheric and sure it has an obsession with overhead shots of characters driving along scenic roads. But where's the "wow" moment after 105 chewed over minutes? I didn't see it and the abrupt, mano a mano ending didn't help things either.
A psychotic brother messes with the family of a shrink whose patient was his dead sister. That's the blueprinted plot of "Breath" and that's great. Do we as the audience care? Not really. Said brother is basically cray cray and has no real incitement for being cray cray. In fact, he's not really the brother but the boyfriend. "Breath's" director (Vaughn Stein) offers this twist and at the same time, he veers right into amateur hour. He needs to "breathe" deep and lament with whatever project he decides to do next. Hey, you could try comedy next time Vaughn. Rating: 2 stars.
Natural Sleep aid
LisaFogle10 June 2021
All I really needed to hear is Casey Affleck is in it and I should've known better. Listening to him is sleep inducing. He has no emotion in his voice, just monotone.
The script was so predicting I had it figured out 15 minutes into the movie.
I just kept thinking please be over.
I could honestly have cared less about anyone in this film.
The script was so predicting I had it figured out 15 minutes into the movie.
I just kept thinking please be over.
I could honestly have cared less about anyone in this film.
Not bad
HumbleMensa19 September 2021
Nice Concept But Poor Execution
varun-250719974 April 2021
A nice story executed in the worst possible way. Two talented lead actors completely wasted and the casting of Sam Claffin was so bad on many levels. It starts like your usual revenge story but the "twist" in the end which is theoretically good falls so flat because of the pace of the film. The film felt 3 hours long for its 105 minute runtime. This is a story that deserves to be a gripping thriller but it was shot like some tragedy. Sam Claffin's performance as the antagonist is one of the worst you will ever see this year.
Not a Bad Thriller
lynansaysingle25 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The good - the acting except for Casey's murmuring, it got a little difficult to hear what he was saying. Good plot, good cast. Good scenery.
I like Sam Claflin and got used to seeing him in romantic drama like Me Before You, Adrift, Love Rosie which fitted him better, thats just my opinion.
I didnt like the empty dialogues between James and Lucy and James and Grace. Relationships were formed in a short amount of time during this seduction part of the movie but it seems rushed and forced. I didnt see the chemistry. No relationship development to show the audience that these attractions towards James could not be resisted. And near the ending when Phillip finally got a copy of James' book and realised that it wasnt the brother but the ex that has been terrorizing him. How did Philip come up with the rest of the story about who killed Daphne and her best friend? I appreciate that there have to be a twist with a good thriller but where is the evidence to show that besides the real identity of James in the book? I know it was mentioned in the beginning that the boyfriend was abusive but that was no proof of the murders. He could just be blaming Philip for Daphne's death and that alone sent him off the edge. Whether its the screenplay or the editing that needs a bit of refining to make this a better thriller.
I like Sam Claflin and got used to seeing him in romantic drama like Me Before You, Adrift, Love Rosie which fitted him better, thats just my opinion.
I didnt like the empty dialogues between James and Lucy and James and Grace. Relationships were formed in a short amount of time during this seduction part of the movie but it seems rushed and forced. I didnt see the chemistry. No relationship development to show the audience that these attractions towards James could not be resisted. And near the ending when Phillip finally got a copy of James' book and realised that it wasnt the brother but the ex that has been terrorizing him. How did Philip come up with the rest of the story about who killed Daphne and her best friend? I appreciate that there have to be a twist with a good thriller but where is the evidence to show that besides the real identity of James in the book? I know it was mentioned in the beginning that the boyfriend was abusive but that was no proof of the murders. He could just be blaming Philip for Daphne's death and that alone sent him off the edge. Whether its the screenplay or the editing that needs a bit of refining to make this a better thriller.
grief results in our disappointment
ferguson-65 April 2021
Greetings again from the darkness. Psychological Thrillers can be quite fun to watch when well-written and well-acted. It's a delicate balance though, since if even one of those elements is lacking, the enjoyment level plummets and the eye-rolling begins. Unfortunately this film from director Vaughn Stein (TERMINAL, 2018) and screenwriter David Murray (his first feature film) is a masterclass in eye-rolling, despite a well-respected and familiar cast.
Oscar winner Casey Affleck (MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, 2016) and Michelle Monaghan star as married couple Dr. Philip and Grace Clark. He works at a Psychiatry Institute and she's a local Real Estate Agent. An early scene shows adoring mother Grace driving their young son to hockey practice. Tragedy strikes, and since that night, Philip and Grace barely speak to each other or his teenage daughter (by another mother) Lucy (India Eisley, daughter of Olivia Hussey). All three are grieving in their own way - emotionally isolated from the others. Grace aggressively swims laps day and night in the pool at their stunning modern mansion. Lucy has been expelled from her private school for snorting cocaine during Science Lab. Philip immerses himself in his work with clients, and we know he's smart because he's wearing glasses.
One client with whom Philip takes a special interest is Daphne (Emily Alyn Lind, DOCTOR SLEEP, 2019), a troubled young lady from a troubled family. To help Daphne deal with boyfriend issues, Philip uses unconventional personal therapy, which he then presents as a Case Study for students ... against the wishes of his boss and friend Vanessa (Veronica Ferres). This backfires when Daphne seemingly commits suicide, and her grieving brother James (Sam Claflin, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY) shows up.
At this point, everyone is grieving and Philip's career begins to crumble as he's blamed for Daphne's suicide. James turns on the charm for Grace and Lucy, and even though the characters don't get it, every viewer will recognize what's happening, why it's happening, and where it's headed. Even this would be fine if things played out in a clever manner, rather than over-the-top and obvious. Even the Rorschach inkblot tests used as artwork in the pristine Clark mansion are cause for eye rolls. Claflin probably has the most fun of any with his role, but it's Monaghan who comes closest to molding a full dimensional human out of her character. Affleck just adds yet another despondent, joyless character to his resume ... though he does get to throw one tantrum while sitting in his car - alone, of course. Fortunately, these actors will assuredly move on to projects more worthy of their talents.
In select theatres and premium VOD on April 2, 2021.
Oscar winner Casey Affleck (MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, 2016) and Michelle Monaghan star as married couple Dr. Philip and Grace Clark. He works at a Psychiatry Institute and she's a local Real Estate Agent. An early scene shows adoring mother Grace driving their young son to hockey practice. Tragedy strikes, and since that night, Philip and Grace barely speak to each other or his teenage daughter (by another mother) Lucy (India Eisley, daughter of Olivia Hussey). All three are grieving in their own way - emotionally isolated from the others. Grace aggressively swims laps day and night in the pool at their stunning modern mansion. Lucy has been expelled from her private school for snorting cocaine during Science Lab. Philip immerses himself in his work with clients, and we know he's smart because he's wearing glasses.
One client with whom Philip takes a special interest is Daphne (Emily Alyn Lind, DOCTOR SLEEP, 2019), a troubled young lady from a troubled family. To help Daphne deal with boyfriend issues, Philip uses unconventional personal therapy, which he then presents as a Case Study for students ... against the wishes of his boss and friend Vanessa (Veronica Ferres). This backfires when Daphne seemingly commits suicide, and her grieving brother James (Sam Claflin, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY) shows up.
At this point, everyone is grieving and Philip's career begins to crumble as he's blamed for Daphne's suicide. James turns on the charm for Grace and Lucy, and even though the characters don't get it, every viewer will recognize what's happening, why it's happening, and where it's headed. Even this would be fine if things played out in a clever manner, rather than over-the-top and obvious. Even the Rorschach inkblot tests used as artwork in the pristine Clark mansion are cause for eye rolls. Claflin probably has the most fun of any with his role, but it's Monaghan who comes closest to molding a full dimensional human out of her character. Affleck just adds yet another despondent, joyless character to his resume ... though he does get to throw one tantrum while sitting in his car - alone, of course. Fortunately, these actors will assuredly move on to projects more worthy of their talents.
In select theatres and premium VOD on April 2, 2021.
Predictable but entertaining
lhammerx710 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The plot lacked nuance and was predictable, but it was nevertheless entertaining. I love a good psychological thriller and this still held my attention. If you expect 100% realism, I would not recommend this. Some aspects had me rolling my eyes (e.g., is this the smallest town ever that they are constantly running into each other doing mundane activities? It's really that easy to escape from a psychiatric unit....). However, I do not agree with the average critic review being in the 30s; it is much closer to a 5/6.
Worst cape fear clone so far
smoesman2 April 2021
Psychologically ; a rollercoaster ride
avindugunasinghe10 June 2021
A family living seperately together. In a house with rooms too small. Rooms with doors tight shut. Unable to express to eachother. Along comes a sick man who has no purpose except one sees the perfect opportunity.
(Acting is just sharp ! Captures every emotion perfectly. And visuals push the subject more towards the viewer. The misty cold surrounding bring forth the desperation and hopelessness. Perfect)
(Acting is just sharp ! Captures every emotion perfectly. And visuals push the subject more towards the viewer. The misty cold surrounding bring forth the desperation and hopelessness. Perfect)
Echoes of Manchester by Sea - good acting, this is not trying to be a blockbuster
xavstack31 July 2021
It's easy to trash movies like this, how easy is it to be fair ? Most reviews i'm reading are not balanced. I'm not used to this but here goes.
The cast is good, Casey is obviously on point as usual, he really knows how to build tension in this thriller plot with his defenseless nonchalance. You want him to react but he's so slow to become the hero. You're not going to get typical horror style devices (sound, music, editing) but instead you derive a feeling of desperation in the story through the unraveling of Casey's character, a professor of psychology who's family is about to be skewered by a fairly predictable lunatic. It's his slow burn inner torture that works it's Manchester by Sea magic on you. You're annoyed at him constantly for not being reacting to the facts. Pause for thought here, before you conclude therefore, that the movie is just 'slow' etc. It's trying to build an almost theatrical tension that pays off int the end, without trying to feed you thriller Kool-aid.
As far as the plot goes, yes it could have been better, but it's certainly watchable (6.7/10 watchable in my view) and i'm easily disappointed by most movies. This one didn't try to hide it's agenda and wasn't trying to be exceptionally clever. A psycho who, it seems, wants to avenge his sisters suicide in a way that's unclear. It's clear by the themes around the sexual manipulation of Philip's (Affleck) wife and daughter that murder is not necessarily his principle motivation, you wonder what, then. The rest of the cast are good and there's good chemistry. Although i'd probably recast the psycho, his character needed more thought. The way Casey's life is unravelled is believable, it's well done and you don't quite know where the plot is going so the ending is relatively well concealed.
It's is a pensive movie, sometimes bordering on pretentious which is the risk you take when avoiding blockbuster status. I think the director perhaps overestimates the audiences desire to engage. Using Affleck to nail that understated tone, there are family themes here which are well handled, not easy to make believable, which makes the drama even more cruel. The ending is honest, revealing and brutal. Which remind me of the main thing I wanted to say : most scenes in this movie are well acted, well directed and believable. So why not rate the movie at it's real value, instead of pitting it against all those exciting blockbusters we like to switch off to ?
The cast is good, Casey is obviously on point as usual, he really knows how to build tension in this thriller plot with his defenseless nonchalance. You want him to react but he's so slow to become the hero. You're not going to get typical horror style devices (sound, music, editing) but instead you derive a feeling of desperation in the story through the unraveling of Casey's character, a professor of psychology who's family is about to be skewered by a fairly predictable lunatic. It's his slow burn inner torture that works it's Manchester by Sea magic on you. You're annoyed at him constantly for not being reacting to the facts. Pause for thought here, before you conclude therefore, that the movie is just 'slow' etc. It's trying to build an almost theatrical tension that pays off int the end, without trying to feed you thriller Kool-aid.
As far as the plot goes, yes it could have been better, but it's certainly watchable (6.7/10 watchable in my view) and i'm easily disappointed by most movies. This one didn't try to hide it's agenda and wasn't trying to be exceptionally clever. A psycho who, it seems, wants to avenge his sisters suicide in a way that's unclear. It's clear by the themes around the sexual manipulation of Philip's (Affleck) wife and daughter that murder is not necessarily his principle motivation, you wonder what, then. The rest of the cast are good and there's good chemistry. Although i'd probably recast the psycho, his character needed more thought. The way Casey's life is unravelled is believable, it's well done and you don't quite know where the plot is going so the ending is relatively well concealed.
It's is a pensive movie, sometimes bordering on pretentious which is the risk you take when avoiding blockbuster status. I think the director perhaps overestimates the audiences desire to engage. Using Affleck to nail that understated tone, there are family themes here which are well handled, not easy to make believable, which makes the drama even more cruel. The ending is honest, revealing and brutal. Which remind me of the main thing I wanted to say : most scenes in this movie are well acted, well directed and believable. So why not rate the movie at it's real value, instead of pitting it against all those exciting blockbusters we like to switch off to ?
Ridiculous
RIK-2211 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
So, let us get this straight, to get away with murder and fool the police, you just say I am her brother. No need to investigate any further or find our who the next of kin is, for the girl, just assume it's a random man who claims so.
Why would the board of psychiatrists take notice of the same anonymous person contacting them?
Is it easy to escape a mental hospital?
I won't go on, silly boring film.
Why would the board of psychiatrists take notice of the same anonymous person contacting them?
Is it easy to escape a mental hospital?
I won't go on, silly boring film.
Casey style movie
ks-6050016 April 2021
I would say it's a typical Casey movie. Almost all the movies I watched is the same style, sad and depressing always, this one as well. And surprising he keep having production that's unusual for a oscar winner. For the story, I would say it's damn bad, long and probably the worst for Casey movie. Rate it 4 just for giving the leading roles performance. If you want to watch, search the actor and lookup his movie to watch instead but not this one.
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