To look at the premise, and definitely to start watching, there are familiar narrative strains in 'Danika'; I think of one title in particular that came out just a few years before this one. That doesn't mean that another rendition can't be worthy - and if nothing else is true, the occurrences the protagonist experiences are distinctly horrifying, and increasingly so. Joshua Leibner's screenplay does a fine job of maintaining a strong air of mystery about the narrative, and conjuring major uncertainty about what is real or not. Just as much to the point, there's unmistakable complexity in the lead role that Marisa Tomei navigates with all the great skill we know she possesses; between the visions and the increasingly erratic behavior, the picture comes off foremost as a thriller, but with a considerable sense too of psychological horror. This may not be wholly perfect, but 'Danika' is duly engaging and compelling, and pretty solid.
All the blood, gore, stunts, and effects that go into realizing the more jarring moments are very well executed, helping the incidents to feel as real as they could be for the audience. It helps that so capable a cast is assembled; led by Tomei, everyone demonstrates fine nuance, range, and personality to bring the story to life. Able direction and sequencing work to amplify all the vitality there is in the screenplay, with varied scene writing focused around the protagonist's seemingly broken sense of reality. All the contributions of those behind the scenes are swell.
All this is well and good. However, there does come a point where the story makes a sea change, and the last stretch of the picture is straightforward drama. It's very well done, and fairly impactful, with heartbreaking but important and commendable themes spotlighted in the last scene especially. Only - these last minutes are a major break from the sensibilities that 'Danika' had been fostering all along, and so it feels like a curveball. The plot is complete and coherent, and ultimately very worthwhile, even as a couple scenes may feel a tad maudlin. Above all, I just wish the writing were slightly more even and consistent one way or another, especially in tone, for that would have made all the difference.
When all is said and done I do quite like this. I think every constituent part stands fairly tall, and it's reasonably engrossing. It just doesn't necessarily stand out compared to other movies of a similar broad thrust Ultimately it's more a drama/thriller with tinges of horror on the edges, and with that in mind - especially for fans of Tomei or others involved, this is a decent way to spend 80 minutes.
