Directed by:
Joel EdgertonScreenplay:
Joel EdgertonCinematography:
Eduard GrauCast:
Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Beau Knapp, Busy Philipps, Allison Tolman, Katie Aselton, Susan May Pratt, Wendell Pierce, Nash Edgerton (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Can you really go through life having never wronged anyone? Even if you are unaware of how, or when, and even who you may have wronged.chances are there is someone out there who wont ever forget itor you. Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simons high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesnt recognize Gordo (Joel Edgerton) at first, but after a series of uninvited encounters and mysterious gifts prove troubling, a horrifying secret from the past is uncovered after more than 20 years. As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to question: how well do we really know the people closest to us, and are past bygones ever really bygones? (Roadshow Entertainment)
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Reviews (9)
Simon Says: go watch this movie. The trailer isn't too exciting, because it doesn't have much. There is no blood, no murders or violence, so this is a light thriller, more of a psychological drama, but intelligently written and directed, and it revels in original twists and even has two solid scares. I was disappointed by the ending, which leaves the viewer with a lot of unanswered questions, I personally don't like that, but thumbs up for the revenge being different from what we've been used to so far. On the plus side, it was difficult to pick a good guy: one is a badass the other is a weirdo. A very high quality film. 80%. ()
The Gift is a solidly developed psychological drama that is, however, dragged down to the level of a forgettable genre movie by its wannabe shocking delivery of the final point. The clever work with the characters’ psychology would have made the film stronger and more unique if it were more subtle (i.e. if it didn’t underestimate the viewers and shock them with a mere disturbing suggestion). ()
A nice little present, though Hřebejk tackled a very similar theme with much more effect and grace in Honeymoon. I can't fault the film in terms of craftsmanship, and I give it a thumbs up for that one brilliant jump-scare, but the ending didn't make my jaw drop, it simply fizzled out. A good debut nonetheless, Joel Edgerton. ()
I have to say that I like Joel Edgerton more and more. And he is going so far that apart from acting, he tries his luck in the role of a director, and as a director, he has completely won me over with the movie The Gift. A thriller which is suspenseful from the beginning until the end and at the same time it references the best movies from the genre and on top of that, it is completely believable and realistic. There is nothing too over the top, as movies often are. And on top of that, the finale sets off in such a way that the viewer cannot even afford to blink so that they wouldn’t lose a minute of suspense. Good job Joel! ()
Well written, even better directed. Edgerton not only handles the psychology to a tee, but also delivers an interestingly conceived and compact story, with effective emotional atmosphere and content structure, with the dirt from the past being revealed bit by bit and the relationship between the central trio of characters growing in intensity until the impressive depressing finale. Overall, we have no one to root for and the ending doesn't knock us back in our seats as much as probably intended, but these are only minor flaws in the beauty of this refreshingly cinematic debut... 80% ()
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