Perfectly Good Moment

"Perfectly Good Moment," directed by Lauren Greenhall and starring Amanda Jane Stern and Steven Carlile, is a taut psychological thriller that explores the fine line between love and manipulation, trust and fear. Greenhall dives deep into the intricacies of a toxic relationship, portraying the escalating tension with remarkable subtlety and precision. Through her masterful storytelling, this indie gem unfolds as an intense character study, examining the dark recesses of control and emotional dependency in ways that are raw, relatable, and, at times, disturbingly authentic. The music is particularly effective in keeping viewers on edge. All in all a great film.

"Perfectly Good Moment" is a mesmerizing psychosexual thriller that will leave you breathless and craving more. Reminiscent with themes familiar with "Black Mirror," the film showcases stellar performances, expert direction, and a captivating storyline. It stands out as a must-watch for fans of the genre. Stephen Carlile and Amanda Stern deliver exceptional performances, bringing their characters to life in a way that is both seductive and unsettling. This film is a testament to the power of cinema to delve into the darkest corners of the human mind while providing a captivating and thought-provoking experience. Don't miss the chance to be enthralled by the intensity and intrigue of "Perfectly Good Moment."

Brilliant script from the lead actress Amanda Jane Stern.

A true star who shines throughout the thriller.

It's a shock she has not broken through in a bigger way as she is one of the most impressive young actresses I have seen come across the screen in the past two decades.

This is a low-budget independent movie in which the movie is entirely filmed on two sets. Stern and co-star Stephen Carlile are on the screen for nearly the entirety of the film.

Carlile is a talented actor as well, fitting the part with his British accent in which the script revolves around his chauvinistic attitude toward Stern - his love interest.

There is some snappy dialogue written by Stern - the kind you rarely see anymore which is reminiscent of a 1930's Jean Harlow movie or 1940's film noir.

Stern reminds me at times of Janet Gaynor, a young Jodie Foster or Anna Paquin.

There are some interesting twists and turns here. First class cinematography and great use of music.

The direction is first-rate.

I found this to be one of the best films I have seen in the last decade.

I have seen Stern in some smaller roles before and think she is one of the most hidden gems in the film world. She is a student of film who has studied the classics and has written and spoken about movies in-depthly.

She has the potential to be an actress/writer/director like Ida Lupino or Sophia Coppola.

I am interested to see what she comes up with next.

A tight, well-paced script with a twist I truly couldn't predict. For such a small filmmaking team with presumably little resources, they really accomplished a lot with a little. As a psychosexual thriller, you can really see the thought and care they put into every action and shot, really doing their part to demonstrate the need for intimacy coordinators on set for any film with intimate scenes, since they utilized one so effectively per the credits. Add to that a very effective (but not too intrusive) score and some spooky performances from the actors and you have a great addition to the revenge thriller genre.

Anyone who has an issue with the pacing of this film or the purported "lack of events" simply isn't an engaged viewer. There's so much detail built into the exposition of this film. All of the clues lie before us. Stern does a wonderful job of making what seems like an offhand comment or a random prop a major feature in the film's third act. It's definitely a masterclass in how to effectively use the idea of Chekov's Gun in storytelling. There's a delicious sense of slow burn in the first portion, and it is impeccably satisfying when it all comes together in a little revenge themed bow. Stern and Carlile have fantastic chemistry and create a dynamic that sends the viewer reeling. Impressive work all around and a true testament to what happens when you have a dedicated team behind an independent feature. Please fund all of their future endeavors.