The Image of You

I watched this without looking into it too much.

I originally thought it was going to be like those movies you see in the afternoon on daytime television. When it got going I was totally into it and didn't see what was coming until really late into it. I thought it was definitely worth watching and I enjoyed it.

Jumped into this mainly because of Sasha being listed as lead in something with an R rating, along with a great support cast; Mira and Nestor (the non-eyeliner guy). Never heard of the book, but I do get a kick out of the seedy twins genre in general, so I kind of knew the plot without knowing it. It did kind of seem like a hammy parody of itself at first, but the more I watched, the more I couldn't really look away from Sasha (especially as Zoe), so I stayed with it. Yes, the plot is familiar, and the major plot twist is easy to spot in the first 15-20 min, but I have to say, Sasha is back on her game here from what I would call a void since playing edgy Ali in PLL. She looked fantastic and had charismatic confidence in her screen presence. All the main characters were beautiful people here (something I miss these days), and those elements combined with the absence of tiring identity, social political, and environmental messaging ended up making this an unexpectedly pleasant watch for me.

The only reason I gave it a two is because I did actually make it through to the end, although why I bothered I'm not sure!

It was also quite stylish, in its own way. Some of the outfits were stunning.

That said, the plot was completely obvious from the start and I kept waiting to see when everyone else would twig.

There was no plot twist as it hit you like a brick to the head within the first few minutes.

None of the characters were particularly likeable, especially the nice twin. Irritating doesn't come close, but I think that was meant to be the point.

I guess I could give it another point for the Titanic hand on the steamy car window, but I'm not feeling generous enough tonight!

I was looking for a new movie to watch and didn't have much time, which is when I stumbled across The Image of You. Seeing that it is a mere ninety minutes, with a few recognizable TV show actors, I decided to put it on completely blind. At first, the movie seemed very campy. The dialogue was awkward, and the story felt forced. Nothing of substance occurred until the end of the film, where so much happened that it felt super chaotic. To pile on, Zoe is one of the most unlikable characters I have ever seen in film, and Nick is irredeemably heartless and dumb. At times, it was hard to watch. However, I pretty quickly stopped taking it so seriously and began to actually enjoy it a little bit. I was able to have fun watching the big twist, and laughing at the scenes that were outlandish. Overall, this was a pretty bad movie by all means, but it could be somewhat of a fun watch if you indulge in the campiness.

The Image of You is a psychological thriller that explores the complex dynamics of identical twins, Anna and Zoe, as they navigate love, trust, and deception. Directed by Jeff Fisher and based on Adele Parks' novel, the film is ambitious in its attempt to blend suspense with emotional depth, though it ultimately doesn't fully reach its potential.

The performances, especially by Sasha Pieterse, who plays both Anna and Zoe, are one of the film's standout features. Pieterse skillfully captures the contrasting personalities of the two characters-Anna, the trusting romantic, and Zoe, the skeptical, protective twin. This dual role allows Pieterse to showcase her range, bringing emotional weight to the narrative, even if the script doesn't always support the depth of her performance.

Visually, the film makes some bold choices, including the frequent use of split screens to emphasize the differences between the twins' worlds. While this stylistic choice initially feels fresh, it eventually becomes more of a distraction than an enhancement, adding a layer of visual flair that doesn't necessarily serve the story. The cinematography is solid, with some striking moments that elevate the otherwise predictable plot, but it isn't enough to carry the film across the finish line.

The plot, while intriguing at first, ultimately falls into familiar thriller tropes. Anna's romantic involvement with the charming yet mysterious Nick, played by Parker Young, sets up the suspense, but the film never quite delves into the psychological tension it promises. Zoe's investigation into Nick's past could have offered more depth, but instead, the storyline feels like it's going through the motions without adding much complexity. The pacing also feels uneven, dragging in certain places while rushing through key revelations.

Despite its weaknesses, The Image of You does offer some thrills, particularly in its final act, where the tension heightens and some well-timed twists emerge. However, these moments aren't enough to offset the film's more formulaic aspects.

In the end, The Image of You is a film that has potential but doesn't quite live up to it. It's a fine choice for fans of psychological thrillers looking for something to pass the time, but it's unlikely to leave a lasting impression. With stronger writing and more compelling character development, it could have been much more than just another predictable thriller.

Pros:

-Strong performance from Sasha Pieterse, particularly in playing both twins.

-Visually engaging cinematography, with some interesting stylistic choices.

Cons:

-Predictable plot that doesn't fully explore its psychological themes.

-Pacing issues and uneven narrative flow.

-Split screen technique becomes more distracting than effective.

I'm Rae Serbeck, I Watch and Review all films Large and Small!