drenstere

The main character is quite possibly the least prepared retired FBI agent in the inventory. While some effort is made to explain away the incompetence, it encumbers the movie from start to finish. The premise of the cultist leader (ol' John might have lost a bet in signing on with this film) and his following is intriguing but the acting outside of Malkovich is fairly tepid. I wanted to like this film and came in with high hopes but it didn't do much for me.

...that was marketed as a suspense/horror film. Decent cast and good acting. Sets properly immerse the audience in the feeling of isolation and loneliness, leading to well-deserved paranoia. Some fairly loose ends that the viewer won't get answered, followed by an abrupt ending once the big reveal is made. Had I seen this at Cannes, then maybe it would have been received better. As is, perhaps I was infected/corrupted by my own expectations before the film could get traction.

Most of the reviewers here have spot on takes. The good reviews and the bad ones; both sets are likely right on the money. In a way, while the acting could have been seen as over the top, I think it was a throwback to movies like Bad Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel, 1992) as far as life-spiraling goes. I won't spoil it as the movie is a hellava ride. Interesting venue choices for shooting, a solid soundtrack and a cast full of 'that guys' and gals that lay the foundation Sandler, Stanfield and the principles to work. Kevin Garnett has more than cameo time as well. Probably not a movie you'll own, but see it once and it'll stick.