The Strange Ones

I like atmospheric. I like edgy. I like esoteric. I just don't like to be bludgeoned into a stupor with it. That's what watching the mega-weird murder mystery drama "The Strange Ones" conspired to do to me.

The only remotely redeeming aspects to recommend here is the spooky score by a pair of killer flutists and the performance of the great character actor Gene Jones.

The rest of this plodding trash can be tossed deep into that creepy cave and abandoned.

It was so good to see Alex Pettyfer trying something different in his career! His presence was so strong in this film, I would really love to see him make more movies like this. Really liked it :)

(No spoilers -- this is intended to be vague because you really want to watch this one and get your perspective from it)

I know the critics seem to be heavy on this one and many who have reviewed this movie either love it or somewhat don't know what to say. Let me help those who would rather watch movies with not so easy plots and scene sequences to guide you through the story/narrative.

I will start by saying this movie hits well on mystery and/or unanswered questions. If you want the normal thrills that easily hand you the plot from start to finish you will probably not take so well to this one.

I love the beautiful scenes of somber to horrific type footage. The story and plot was woven into those scenes very methodically so to not give you a linear way of grasping the whole of the movie. They should make more like this. The directors and actors were on point. Casting could NOT have been better....no big time stars to overshadow the story -- just some good old original creativity. Watch this movie with your mind on...not off.

The movie's gravity pulled me in and I enjoyed the slow-burn pacing and indirect ways the story revealed itself. By the end however I had just as many questions as answers and while some reviewers obviously have enjoyed their own deconstructive interpretations, I just think the creators should have been more clear.

This is a somber, atmospheric thriller that moves very slowly but is never boring. It centers around a boy who is on the run after enduring a severe traumatic event. He travels with his brother, whom we see as his protector. The small, skinny boy appears to be a gentle soul who loves animals and the brother is the polar opposite - large, and rough around the edges. Things unfold slowly and we learn what the child has seen and the roles the brothers have played in this horrific chain of events. You will really like this one or you will hate it. There isn't much in between, because it is so somber. I really enjoyed it.