Faults

Because near the end of the film, my brains exploded out the top of my head!

But seriously, I actually gave up on this movie after about 20 minutes. I thought that it was trying to be a comedy except it wasn't funny. Fortunately I was curious enough to keep watching, and I soon realized that the beginning wasn't exactly trying to be funny; it was trying to be pathetic, and it succeeded. That was days ago, and I am still thinking about this movie. The brutally honest truth is that I feel a bit terrified because the main guy sadly reminds me of myself, and I don't know that I would have handled the situation any differently than he did. :( Tip for viewers: This is not exactly a comedy. In my book, it is more like a psychological horror. If you like the beginning, you may not like the 2nd half. And if you think the whole thing is unrealistic, I am sorry to break the sad news to you that this kind of thing happens ALL THE TIME. --sniff--

Great plot and unique. So tired of Marvel and DC and Star Wars retreads. Great acting. Strange vibes. Thought it was a comedy at first. Recommended. It's a nice break from all the tripe.

Original, well acted, and well produced/edited.

This film is well worth seeing if you like original, well produced movies.

From the beginning you are never really sure where the characters are heading - until the end.

The characters draw you into their world and keep you there. Each event and emotion portrayed by brilliant acting. I had never seen any of the cast in previous movies, so it was refreshing seeing new faces (to me) bring the story to life.

Whatever expectations you have for this film just forget them and let the story telling take you where it is going to go.

I was very impressed with this film. We follow a down and out Cult novelist who specializes in understanding the methodology of how cults control individuals. The novelist is divorced, homeless, broke, suicidal and in debt with some very nasty former business partner when we meet him. When two parents approach him desperate for help, he agrees to help them with an extreme intervention with their cult involved daughter. The goal is to deprogram her. Arranging a kidnapping, he abducts the girl and isolates her in a motel room for days attempting to mentally break her down and understand her cult programing. It was engaging and completely unpredictable. I'm not totally satisfied how the story concluded but found the entire ride fun and intriguing.

Seeing the interesting premise as well as being a big fan of Riley Stearns' second feature (The Art of Self-Defense) made me want to check this one out. Comparing the two they have a lot in common, themes like loneliness, being in control of your own life and the need to belong, as well as a good amount of dark humor are all in there. Even though it does slow down a bit midway through, the characters are interesting and the dialogues witty enough to carry the viewer through to a great ending.

P. S. I was really glad to see Leland Orser as a lead after so many supporting/smaller roles and boy did he nail this Ansel character, he absolutely stole the show (Winstead was also great as usual).