Reviews

I'm not sure why this film isn't rating higher. There's not a thing wrong with it except that it breaks your heart and will possibly ruin your night. Nell (Keira Knightly) and Simon (Matthew Goode), along with their three sons, are hosting a "friends" Christmas at a beautiful house in the English countryside. At the end of the world.

There's a standard bratty child, a pair of lovely twins, and the moral compass of the story, Art, son to Nell and Simon, a child who thinks the science, the government, the authorities and the adults might be wrong about it being the end of the world. All of the above have provided an "easy" way out. The alternative is unspeakable.

It's a film about sacrifice, faith, family, and how we love each other in spite of past pain, betrayal, squabbles, and discomfitures. The last 20 minutes are unbearable and pretty funny--kudos to Matthew Good and his portrayal of Simon. He's a good dad.

Bleak and unmissable. Not a Christmassy movie, do not put it on for the family--certainly not for the kids. Well done, this is the first feature from director/writer Camille Griffin. How dare she. And also, can't wait to see what she does next.

Some things never change and no matter that there's a flesh eating hoarde right outside your door, he's probably still cheating. Hilarious, very well done, stay for the credits, this is an excellent depiction of a long-term relationship. I'm recommending this to EVERYONE.

This movie did an excellent job of making the viewer feel the effects of Munchausen by Proxy. The last act, when she is finally free, is extraordinary. Beautiful. And I think probably the part most based on the "true story."

This was a great story about revenge and retribution. Three friends are off on a European adventure. Secrets are revealed. The remaining two are faced with more than they deserve and the karma jar keeps losing and gaining pebbles. Really well done, great acting, great script, excellent direction. Recommend.

Immediately the film endears you to Yakov, the young man at the center of the story. He's so sad and vulnerable over a trauma that is unclear for the first act, but it's made clear that the trauma was sufficient to required medication. His awkwardness coupled with the reluctant circumstances of his acting as a shomer or "vigil" for the Orthodox Jewish community which he has just left, makes for a vulnerable and touching opening. The atmosphere is relentless, every shadow looks like something, the body under the sheet on the altar about to move at any second and when the dread is revealed, the mythology is frightening all on its own. Highly recommend, really liked it, some good jumps, and the overall bad feeling stays with you for hours after.

I was expecting one thing and I got another. Felt very cinema verite, as found footage is supposed to, I guess. Interesting subject matter because as a mother of sons I kept expecting it to resolve itself neatly or kindly or motherly. It does not. Enjoy, don't have expectations and hold your babies close.

This movie never stops delivering. It might be a laugh, a gut punch, a 180 turn, a bear in the trees, Aubrey Plaza without pants, psychological manipulations, emotional manipulation, this movie has it all. Dense narrative that seems to be lies on top of performative actions, rolled in role playing, and gaslighting. Everything was a win, directing, cinematography, sound, music, and Aubrey Plaza might actually BE the voice of her generation. Highly rec. Saw it at a film festival.

Art directed within an inch of its life. A beautiful, sad, horrible, heartbreaking story of the dichotomy of mid-century America. Absolutely awful. Great movie, nightmarish time.