(I probably could’ve written this review prior to seeing the film… because…predictability…)
C’mon, Lifetime Original Movie meets Netflix distribution!!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾A thriller starring a Black female/woman legend during the summertime (typically)! SOOO ORIGINAL!! We definitely haven’t seen this before…
*Cough* “The Intruder” starring Meagan Good + Michael Ealy (2019)
*Cough* “Breaking In” starring Gabrielle Union (2018)
*Cough* “Tyler Perry’s Acrimony” starring Taraji P. Henson + Lyriq Bent (2018)
*Cough* “When the Bough Breaks” starring Regina Hall + Morris Chestnut (2016)
*Cough* “The Perfect Guy” starring Sanaa Lathan + Michael Ealy + Morris Chestnut (2015)
*Cough* “Addicted” starring Sharon Leal + Boris Kodjoe (2014)
*Cough* “No Good Deed” starring Taraji P. Henson + Idris Elba (2014)
*Cough* “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor” starring Jurnee Smollett Bell (2013)
*Cough* “Obsessed” starring Beyonce + Idris Elba (2009)
😷 😷 😷 Whew, chile—this cough is persistent… daily COVID-19 updates can be accessed here. 🦠🧫🧪🔬🥽🥼👩🏾🔬📊
Now, I’m sure there are more films that are not listed here, but all this to say—there’s an audience for this art. Someone, somewhere is always going to want to see this type of film, starring their faves, and that’s exactly why studios keep green-lighting the screenplays. And honestly, as long as these legends are receiving production creds for their work, I ain’t too mad at the hustle.
Problem areas:
🚩 Obvious car promos. I wanna bet Audi and Lexus were sponsors.
🚩 The first two minutes of the film gave away the tone. Set the tone, sure, but goddamn do they hone in on the formulaic structure of a thriller super early.
🚩 The first five minutes gave away EVERYTHING about the main couple’s relationship. There was no momentum building. Just BAM! 💥 Together outta college, with a kid who’s in college at Berkeley, just moved into a new space. Great—nice intro, dude! 👍🏾 👍🏾
🚩 The over-reacting acting. Cringe.
🚩 This film is rated “TV-14.” Issa whole “no” from me, dawg.
🚩 Actors gazing off into nothingness as they’re introduced to the audience. Such a Lifetime Original feature touch of flair!
🚩 The introduction of the main character’s past flame, in an office, with the weird AF energy and the “oh, I didn’t see you there,” even though the person is the only thing in their line of sight. LMMFAO! Aight, bruh…
🚩 Bruh, this shit got progressively hyperbolic. 😖 😖
One thing that disturbs me about these types of films is that it doesn’t offer the greatest portrayal of the actors’ abilities. It’s not the acting, it’s the writing (and maybe the directing) that isn’t great. And for this film, it’s definitely the screenplay—it’s paint-by-numbers-level predictable. Fifteen minutes in, I hit the time stamp to see how much longer I’d have to sit through it. I’d love for Hollyweird to cease on pitching the same rom-coms, psychological thrillers, and comedies with interchangeable casts. Yes, there’s always an audience, but damnit…where’s the quality?
Also, are people really smashing with the blinds open and shit? In 2020? Still?! That’s some stereotypical thriller BS! 😂 😂
Also, also, shouts to Estelle outchea with the random cameo! 😂 😂 She’s fun.
Positives:
👏🏾 I was excited to see Omar Epps on the big screen again! Epps and Nia Long are our treasures, and I hope this film opens up other opportunities. I miss seeing many actors from their class on screen together.
👏🏾 Nia Long got her first producer credit for this film! Shouts to her! GIVE THE LEGENDARY QUEEN HER THINGS!! 💰💰💰
👏🏾 The score is sooooo quintessential “boogeyman” thriller. Lol, I loved it (no I didn’t).