A true great modern day thriller.

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2016)

Needless to say that this film had a lot going for it before it reached cinemas, from the stellar cast to the intriguing choice for director. This film is shocking,emotional, heart pounding and gripping it is certainly a roller-coaster of emotions watching this modern day marvel.
Director Denis Villeneuve is one of the upcoming great directors of his generation and this film only bolsters this claim. This absolutely blew me away and still does after multiple viewings, the story to this film is so interesting and more importantly complex and difficult. Which makes for a great watch knowing that you have no idea what could happen next, and even when you do start to wonder what could happen the film goes in a completely different direction. It is so refreshing to see that a film was given the directing treatment that this film had, truly gripping from start to finish with perfect camera work and positioning throughout the film. Villeneuve as a director will definitely go on your radar after this film.
As briefly mentioned the story of this film is a breath of fresh and incorporates many different aspects of film. Whether it be more tender moments of emotion early on in the film before the daughters go missing, or to almost un-watchable torture of Paul Dano's character is truly breath taking. This film has drama elements with the family trauma that both families are having to deal with. The big obvious element of film this has is thriller and is used in fantastic ways. From Jake Gyllenhaal's character creeping around a dark basement to watching the kidnapper...*wink wink*..... creep around peoples house, nail biting stuff. However I feel this film taps into a more darker element that isn't shown in film a lot and that is psychological. This film messes with your mind and that is fantastic to see that a film can have such an impact on an audience. The mental state that specific characters are in really challenge your feelings towards them in a split second specifically Hugh Jackman's character who you feel a great empathy towards for the obvious reason. However some of the characters decisions in the film doubt your warm or emotional feelings towards him, extremely clever by the story.
The performances in this film are at the top, every single person has a flawless performance however there are a few that standout among the rest. Firstly Hugh Jackman who is just fantastic in this role of a grieving father desperate to find his missing daughter. His character is all over the place and gave Jackman an array of options and possibilities. As already mentioned you do feel for the guy and the extreme worry that he carries through the film that his daughter could be dead. Even when he makes dreadful decisions you end up still wanting him to succeed. Next Jake Gyllenhaal who is also brilliant as a cop trying to do his job at the best of his ability to bring home the two missing girls. As we are following him around as he investigates people for information you really want him to succeed especially due to the circumstances of the case he is up against. Then finally you see him unravel the mystery and the twist and turns and who could be the person who took the girls. When I finally realised just when Gyllenhaal's character did sort of, it was a special moment and truly satisfying. The rest of the cast are all still so good they deserve a mention for there work Paul Dano, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Maria Bello and Melissa Leo.
Finally the ending of the film definitely reminds me of Inception, the fact that we will never no what happens after Jake Gyllenhaal turns his head back towards the sound you think he might of heard, because to me it isn't clear if the sound he is hearing is the wind, extremely clever and oddly satisfying by Denis Villeneuve. The film will blow you away and defiantly needs your attention and time because it is a true modern day marvel of a thriller. 90 % out of 100 but possibly heading towards 95% this film has always blown me away every time I have viewed it, insanely good film.