Jonah

"Jonah," directed by Ben Van Kleek in 2024, weaves a compelling narrative about a journalist confronted with his repressed childhood trauma while investigating a mother's claim that her son was abducted by aliens. On paper, the film's premise, conflicts, and the backstories of its characters check all the boxes for a captivating thriller. It cleverly raises questions about the true intentions of each character and the enveloping mystery they are all trying to unravel, setting the stage for an engaging exploration of human emotion and the unknown.

The potential of "Jonah" lies in its ability to blend personal struggle with supernatural elements, offering a rich soil from which complex character dynamics and thrilling plot twists can grow. The backstories are poised to add depth, making the audience invested in the outcomes of these well-conceived characters. This depth, coupled with the overarching mystery, should have provided a fertile ground for suspense and engagement, drawing viewers into a web of intrigue and emotional complexity.

However, the film stumbles significantly when it comes to its execution, particularly in the casting and performance aspects. Despite the brilliance of the script and the clear vision behind the project, the actors' portrayals fall short of bringing the characters to life in a believable manner. This disconnect between the characters' potential depth and their on-screen representation undermines the immersive experience that is critical for a thriller of this nature. The audience's belief in the characters and the story they inhabit is crucial, and when the performances are not convincing, it detracts from the entire narrative, no matter how well-written or conceived it may be.

In conclusion, while "Jonah" promises a riveting exploration of human psyche intertwined with otherworldly mysteries, its impact is dulled by a cast that fails to deliver the emotional and psychological complexity required. This results in a film that, despite its intriguing premise and underlying script brilliance, offers an experience that falls below expectations, leaving viewers disengaged from what could have been a profoundly moving journey.

Usually the plot will make or break a movie, this film has no plot whatsoever! It is utterly disjointed with unrelated storylines that go no where and never get connected other story elements.

The main character is a drug addicted "journalist" that investigates fringe paranormal stories and seems totally gullible right up to taking on this abduction story. He and the female lead (Margot) cross back and forth from believable to insane and both pretty much end as bizarre individuals.

The boy is an empty character who plays no role in the story albeit that he is supposedly the subject of the film.

One of those films that make NO sense, but if you say that film critics will claim it was too deep for you to understand!

Very interesting film, love thrillers and mixed genre movies. So cool to see Alaina Huffman and Osric Chauu!! Big supernatural fan, so it was great to see Gadreel and Kevin Tran all in the same movie. A captivating thriller that sucked me in and still has me thinking. The story really pulled me in, really liked the abduction stuff. This movie takes a lot of twists and turns which keeps you guessing........There's a lot of tense moments and I really loved the pace of the story. The kid was excellent and he gave me goosebumps every time. I do have some questions about the ending but overall a fun watch.

I love anything with aliens so I thought I would give Jonah a watch. The film is a small movie (budget) but starts off with a great alien abduction mystery. It does have some really interesting moments. I do like the mom's performance and the kid was also great. The film doesn't give all the answers but it does give you goose bumps a couple of times. The flow of the story felt nice and it does push and pull with what you think is going to happen next. The ending does leave a bit abruptly and makes you wonder. I would like to know more about some things in the film but overall it was worth watching.

Rented this on prime and it was not what I was expecting, this indie film really has a lot of religious symbolism blended together with alien theology. The cast was really good but the budget on this is low. The tension is high and it made me uncomfortable at times. The ending really makes me wonder. The film pushes what you would expect from an "alien abduction" movie. It's not typical but it does a good job at keep you engaged. The actor playing the kid was solid, really liked his performances. The mom is a crazy person. The pacing moves fast and the music really pulls you in. Overall, it's pretty good.