Everyone deserves a second chance. Take writer/director Zach Cregger. I hated his first feature, “Barbarian” and called it a “truly terrible thriller” (my review). This new feature turns everything around! It takes place in a small town after all the children from the same classroom disappeared into the nite, except one. The script takes several POVs to unravel the mystery, which had me wondering if this labyrinth of a story could have a payoff. Cregger has peppered the film with a few jump scares, a bit of brutal violence and a simply hilarious finale. You read that right: Unusual for a thriller to end up funny, but it does. As for actual thrills, it’s more about a mysterious atmosphere than real scares. The cast has a few stars like Julia Garner (the teacher) and Josh Brolin (one parent), but Amy Madigan is wacky and almost unrecognizable as the crazy aunt. The film runs a bit too long and is never really terrifying, but Cregger has created an unsettling experience with several odd angles. It’s one of the most compelling and intriguing thrillers in a while. 
(4.5 / 5)
