Keeps you guessing, in a good way.

Rating: 8/10 (21 March 2019)

This is a crime drama thriller done right. I absolutely adore crime drama movies & thrillers ever since I saw Heat in theater as a 15yo kid and The Game (17yo). The game has some flaws, but I'd argue that Heat is a cinema masterpiece the likes of which few attain because of the magical combination of acting talent, excellent script/plot, action scenes executed so realistic and raw, and cinematography and a soundtrack all worth mentioning.
I digress- Gone Baby Gone (2007) came along before Prisoners (2013), but does a fantastic job of melding the realistic, gritty look and sound of Boston. Ben Afleck later went on to do The Town, which is also a good Boston crime drama, but he has a better combination here of more suspense, tighter writing, and a really good storyline that will keep you guessing- in a good way!
Ben's brother, Casey Affleck shines in this role, and embodies the disgruntled Boston kid who's trying to make an honest buck and get out of the life he was doomed to live as most Bostonians (as depicted well in this, The Wire, The Town, etc.). Every actor and actress cast here fits the part well and adds deeper layers to the simple plot. Ed Harris brings his A game as always, a great supporting role by MIchelle Monaghan, who is finding crime drama's a comfortable zone with True Detective, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Machine Gun Preacher), and Morgan Freeman (who borderline plays a believable role as a police captain that isn't just Morgan Freeman being Morgan Freeman). It was also cool to see a handful of The Wire (heralded as one of, if not the, best TV crime dramas) alum appear here as they fit right in.
Just when you think the movie is wrapping up and the plot has taken a turn you expect, it veers off course.
8/10 stars for an enjoyable thriller that examines what it truly means to do what's right, and living with the choices we make: good or bad.