Ryad 19

The synopsis for the 2021 thriller "Ryad 19" (aka "Row 19") sounded interesting, and I also liked the movie's cover. I had not heard about this thriller from writer James Rabb and director Alexander Babaev prior to sitting down to watch it, so I didn't know what I was in for here.

Well, this movie was unique. Let's just call it that. But I didn't find it particularly enjoyable or entertaining. The movie's storyline felt like a collection of the writer's nightmares penned down on paper and given to the director. Much of it didn't really make much of any sense, and felt like random fragments shot independently by different directors that weren't working on the same script. So there was a sense of chaotic randomness and a lack of coherent red thread throughout the course of the movie.

Visually then "Ryad 19" was good, but special effects and CGI is only worth so much without a proper storyline forming around them. And "Ryad 19" was lacking just that.

The acting performances in "Ryad 19" were good, despite the fact that the storyline felt like rubbish to me. I wasn't familiar with the cast at all in this movie.

I didn't finish this movie, because I simply gave up on the storyline as it fell short of capturing my interesting. So it was somewhat of a swing and a miss from writer James Rabb and director Alexander Babaev.

My rating of "Ryad 19" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.

I chose to watch Row 19 because of its short runtime (77 minutes) and because the synopsis sounded interesting. And indeed, it turned out to be an intriguing Russian supernatural thriller with some unexpected plot twists. I often found myself guessing what kind of turn the movie would take next based on the hints we, as viewers, are given, but it was surprisingly difficult.

Some of the characters are quite unique, and if the acting had been better, I would rate this higher. Unfortunately, none of the cast delivers a stellar performance. The emotionless acting might just be the Russian style-who knows? Another annoying aspect, also pointed out by others, is the English voiceover for the little girl. She really sounds like an adult, and I wonder if they couldn't find anyone better suited.

All in all, I could certainly have spent that 1 hour and 17 minutes in a worse way than watching Row 19. I also learned that, in Russia, there's apparently an airline that flies with just a few passengers onboard, even when all other flights are canceled for the day. But putting that peculiar and illogical aspect aside, I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it to anyone looking for a short and entertaining movie experience.

When the translation of the title simply takes its meaning out of context (in time, Row 19 is the row of seats the survivor was in, and which her daughter always says is hers) A Russian horror film, in the style of "Final Destination", a little slower and less interesting, could have delved more into the terror and the passengers and less into the protagonist's thoughts and delusions, the premise is interesting, with only reasonable execution...

A doctor on a night flight comes across mysterious deaths among the passengers while losing touch with reality and revisiting a childhood nightmare, all while taking care of her young daughter.

This wouldn't have happened if there was a no fly zone ... alright let me stop myself right here. Because a) you may find this joke inappropriate (sorry for that) and b) it might not make too much sense in the future - which frankly I wouldn't mind. A no fly zone can work anytime - for reasons not related to what some (many) call war.

That being said, let's get back to what is important. This is a horror movie from Russia - no pun intended, which I reckon I have to say in this time and age. It takes notes from other psychological horror movies and it does try to copy the best of them. Does not really succeed all the way through, but it still maintains to be creepy and tension filled enough to work overall ... if you let it that is. Suspension of disbelief ... with a predictable story and an ending that you probably guessed right after the movie started ... or somewhere in between (no pun intended)

I watched this one in an English dubbed version. I must say, it's a bit different. I am not claiming I completely got the movie,but when I thought about it as the titles roled I was thiy well yes, it's a different movie. The storyline is very vague but it's more of a physiological horror, it makes you think. I enjoyed the movie, screenplay, acting and production quality is not bad. Some idiots hating it here on IMDB are fools, they should rather appreciate the effort director and story board have come up with.

Not a bad way to pass a dull evening, enjoy. It deserves a better and mature viewing and rating too.