Review of 13 Sins (2014) by Jesse O — 05 Aug 2014

I don't wanna say this is a pleasant surprise, I'd like to think that I never go into films expecting them to suck, but when it's clearly a low-budget there's a certain expectation of what it can achieve.

Perhaps on a technical level it doesn't match the best of the best. Or maybe it doesn't have a great cast, or the script couldn't be refined as much as it could've. This film isn't the best looking film you will ever see, but it certainly makes up for it with an interesting, and surprisingly entertaining, film.

I say surprisingly because with the concept, you'd expect a super serious movie, but it's the exact opposite. While there is a certain social commentary with those in the lower-to-middle classes struggling to make ends meet and the desire to get yourself and your loved ones out of that position must be great.

But the film has a sense of humor. It's certainly very dark as it touches on some subjects that might piss off some people, but it at least manages to make you laugh while also providing some thrills at the same time.

It also helps that the acting is a strong as it is. It's got a very good supporting cast on top of a good lead performance from Mark Webber. He's got this everyman presence and personality that makes it very easy to relate to him and his journey to provide a better life to his fiance and unborn child.

Of course the main point of the story is to show how anyone, even those who you don't expect, can become a monster if it gets them the life they want. I think the movie is careful not to make Eliot too unlikable for fear that it would take away from the story and make you buying into his struggle.

I do think the film ends a little too perfectly for my tastes. Eliot ends up losing the money, not gonna spoil how, but other than that everything is exactly as it was before. I'm sure Eliot will forever be a changed man for what he was forced to do, but you don't really get a sense of that.

There is a hint that things would go back to the way they were before, but it's quickly squashed. Still, this is quite a good movie. Don't be misled by the trailers, this is an entertaining movie that makes up for it with its strong cast and a good script.

Don't think this is a must-buy, but if you have Netflix then you can't go wrong here.