Culprit

I am not sure why my husband and I kept watching this movie. It seems to have potential in the beginning, but about 20 minutes in, you realize the acting and sound effects are pretty bad. And yet we kept watching. At some point, we were committed and needed to know the outcome. Due to the short length of this movie, we knew that any questionable scenes would be over soon because they had to get on with the storyline. I wonder if this was actually supposed to be a spoof because the acting was borderline terrible. In the end, there is a questionable scene with terrible visual effects, and the last scene was not the best way to end the film.

I don't often write reviews, but I feel an obligation to set the record straight on this one since it was rated an 8.5 on the night we watched.

I understand this is a low budget movie, but my understanding of the film industry is that the acting doesn't necessarily have to match the budget. It was poor to say the least.

Another review stated there were twists and turns. I think this could be more accurately stated as a jog to the left and then a slight course correction to the right.

I shouldn't be giving anything away by stating that I think half the budget for this movie went into a special effect at the end of the movie.

On a positive, I think the main female lead was actually pretty decent actor, but because it's a low budget movie, I don't know her name. I can't go look it up because it will erase my review. It did once already.

Culprit is proof that a great film can come from anywhere, not just the big guns. The film grabbed my attention at the very start and never let go, making me constantly question everything and everyone until the very end. A solid thriller through and through that holds up until the very end. But great writing, great acting, and great cinematography will do that, you know. It's becoming more and more rare to see a film created by someone who just wants to tell a good story well, making this a solid change of pace. If you're wondering if you should watch it, I'd ask you why you haven't already?! Because I'm going back for seconds. And thirds.

To use this sensitive matter to create suspense is just stupidity and trashy all for money! How insensitive to make a movie like this and then no real ending. Its exploitation of trauma that people have really faced. Just disgusting. I wont go on and on, but I think its important we stop watching and supporting trash like this. This is trashy money chasing writing built off of people's trauma done to the most sensitive in society. Smh. This is NOT okay and I hope others realize this and stop consuming such wickedness labeled as "entertainment". I hope there won't be a part two and I firmly stand against it. I pray other will too!

I am not speaking in hyperbole: It's extremely rare for me to see a first-time writer/director nail it on so many levels, notwithstanding the confines of a low, indie budget. Ronat cultivates a conviction and grit from the characters and performances, keeping me glued to the screen and second-guessing who the culprit is until the very end. CULPRIT is a case study on how to make a great film without studio backing.

Further, this film is not just a murder mystery; it's a commentary on the fragility of justice and the consequences of societal judgment. This idea could not be more relatable in our current day and age of misinformation and disinformation. Where is the line between truth, falsehood, and circumstantial misrepresentation? Watch and judge for yourself!