I must admit that I was intrigued by this 2021 movie's synopsis. And the movie's cover really helped win me over and made me want to sit down to watch it, despite of its relatively low rating on IMDb.
And while "Faceless" is a watchable movie, it wasn't by any means an outstanding or particularly interesting or entertaining movie. It proved enjoyable enough for what it was, but the movie just didn't manage to bring anything new to the thriller genre. So it was a little bit of a disappointment that three writers - Ed Dougherty, Marcel Sarmiento and Freddie Villacci - couldn't muster to make a more memorable storyline here.
What worked for "Faceless" was the special effects and the cast.
The special effects were really good in the movie, and I do like good visual and practical effects, as CGI tends to be a bit too over the top. And there just is something more satisfying in watching proper practical effects pulled off - no pun intended here. So, if for nothing else, then "Faceless" is watchable for the practical effects.
And the cast really pulled off their individual performances nicely and bringing their roles and characters to life on the screen - with or without faces. I am not familiar with Brendan Sexton III (playing George), but he carried the movie quite well with his performance. I do like actress Alex Essoe (playing Sophie), but it was a shame that she didn't have a larger role in the movie, because she would have spruced up the movie quite a bit.
Now, what didn't really work for the movie was the storyline. It was just too bland, generic and didn't really offer enough contents to live up to my expectations of the movie. It was watchable, yeah without a doubt, but it just didn't have that spark to it to make it memorable.
"Faceless" is a thriller that came and went without leaving a lasting impression for me. I sat through it, but I was only mildly entertained. There are far better thrillers out there, and also far more enthralling thrillers that brings you into the storyline and grows on you.
My rating of director Marcel Sarmiento's 2021 thriller "Faceless" lands on a less than mediocre four out of ten stars.
