The Mill

Super suspenseful and VERY much like a Black Mirror episode, just movie length!! Really wild ride indeed!!

The premise is wildly unique and there is no way you see the ending coming...

I truly think that if you go into fairly with no forced expectations, you will really enjoy this!!

I had NO clue what I was in for and I knew nothing about the movie before watching it... and I recommend you do the same!

It definitely has moments that are scary, ONLY because they are teetering on the edge of realistic and possible!

Rel did a great job with the character and it honestly keeps you guessing until the VERY end!

Give it a go!

Happy Huluween, Streamers! Yes, Hulu is back with their Horror/Halloween section of movies for the Halloween Season. One of their offerings piqued my interest based on the main actor and the simple concept, The Mill. This streaming movie features a businessman (Lil Rel Howery) who mysteriously wakes up in an open-air prison cell with only a primitive grinding mill. He's forced to work until he can find a way back before the birth of his first child. Covid type movie hijinks ensue.

As you can tell, this movie really is quite singular and feels like a classic Covid era movie. All we have is Lil Rel and some voice work to get us through about an hour and forty minutes. I like Rel but this isn't really his acting range. Don't get me wrong he does a good job, and the movie really wouldn't have been anything without him. He knows how to act panicked but sometimes it just comes off as whiny! Anyway, the idea is original and semi-frightening. Remind me not to sign any disclosures without reading them again. But really there's not much to the movie other than Rel and they still make us watch for an hour and 40 minutes! I mean have a build-up but come on already.

Simply put, this movie while imaginative lacks imagination. The Mill is literally, and metaphorically, pushed along by the charisma of Lil Rel Howery. That's not enough to make this a movie you have to run to see. Grab a handful of popcorn and check out The Mill to support our guy when you have a chance.

This thriller seems to plod along without super strong thrills, but its goal is to make the audience think, which I felt it accomplished. Heavy on symbolism and strong performances helped me enjoy this maybe a bit more than some of the other reviewers, I don't know and I don't want to presume. Lil Rel, whom I had only seen previously in Get Out, sheds the comic relief role of that film for a nuanced lead in this one and is effective as he carries the movie visually with most interactions with other characters being strictly vocal. I would recommend it for those who prefer atmospheric movies, and those who prefer action should probably steer clear.

A wildly misguided and not at all subtle critique of capitalism, or "the grind" (like a mill. See not very subtle). Is anyone really stupid enough to believe this showing is even remotely related to actual capitalism? A trillion-dollar company, calling literal slaves their "employees", can do anything they want because the employee "didn't read the fine print" when signing their introduction paperwork. This director is one of those people who think modern day employees are slaves because they have to work for money instead of being handed everything for free. That even though the employees willing volunteered to work for the company and can leave at any time, the company is evil for making the person work. These kind people think of themselves as actual slaves, like the man in this movie, and there's nothing they can do to escape. That companies who make their employees work are literal slave masters forcing people to work so they aren't killed. Nevermind how incredibly obvious the metaphor, it's also just extremely inaccurate. However, I gave it 2 stars instead of just 1 because there is something to said about quotas and how there are definitely companies that do not reward employees that work hard and therefore give no incentive to continue working hard. That is a legitimate critique. Also, the ending was absolutely terrible. All that aside, Lil Rey cannot carry a movie by himself. He is comedic relief and that is where he shines. Also, what business manager working for a trillion-dollar company wears Nikes with their suit? I'm just not impressed at all.

"The Mill" is a cinematic gem that had me glued to my couch from start to finish. This suspenseful film masterfully unfolds a gripping storyline, gradually revealing its secrets, and culminating in a breathtaking plot twist that will leave you utterly astonished.

From the very beginning, "The Mill" captivates the audience with its intriguing premise. Set in a small, seemingly peaceful room/building, the film immerses you in a world where secrets lurk behind every corner and wall which make t he atmosphere be thick with tension. It certainly gave me "The Platform" (Netflix) vibes!

The characters in "The Mill" are well-crafted and our protagonist, Joe, did a great job in his role expressing different emotions.

One of the movie's strongest aspects is its pacing. The plot unravels with precision, divulging key details and clues at the perfect moments. This gradual revelation of the story's secrets is what makes "The Mill" so enthralling. It keeps you guessing, piecing together the puzzle as the narrative cleverly unfolds.

In conclusion, "The Mill" is an exceptional thriller that will keep you riveted to your couch throughout its runtime. Its suspenseful storytelling, well-developed characters, and jaw-dropping plot twist make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. Prepare to be enthralled, surprised, and utterly captivated by this cinematic tour de force.