Jason Blumhouse is primarily known for producing an impressive string of low-budget, but successful horror and sci-fi films. This marks his first two of four thrillers for Amazon.
The Lie
Joey King plays the petulant teen daughter to Mireille Enos and Peter Sarsgaard. When she confesses to killing her best friend, her parents dive deeper and deeper in deceptions to cover it up. Writer/director Veena Sud’s script has sufficient developments to keep it interesting and the direction, while often compelling, never builds sufficient tension. Strong actors like Enos and Sarsgaard make the conflicts more compelling, even though the daughter’s character is continually frustrating and unsympathetic. The twists are usually a surprise and that’s what keeps the characters and the viewer on their toes.
(4 / 5)
Black Box
Mamoudou Athie plays a dad whose wife died in an accident that also caused his amnesia. He meets a doctor (Phylicia Raashad) who conducts an experimental procedure to help him recover his memory and relationship to his daughter (Manda Christine). The pace moves slowly for the longest time, but eventually becomes a bit involving when the twists develop. Athie is intense throughout, Raashad is often flat, but it’s’ Christine’s plucky portrayal that’s the film’s most compelling performance. There’s never much tension, but the story eventually creates some interesting developments.
(2 / 5)