Review of Bad Samaritan (2018) by James K — 03 May 2018

Sometimes, people do bad things; the opposite is true. But the question still remains: in what we do, either good or bad, is it really worth it in the end? Or, are we just crazy? These two questions are imposed and reflected on in the film "Bad Samaritan", a movie that raises the question on what we do when stuck with a terrible situation is either a good or bad outcome. The answer that this movie provides is mediocre at best. Directed by Dean Devlin and starring David Tennant and Robert Sheehan, the end result is not the best one, but it's also not the worst either. With "Bad Samaritan", one could mostly get a pretty bland suspense movie with only saving grace being attached to it.

The plot involves a young man named Sean Falco (Sheehan), an Irish individual who likes to burglarize people's homes in Portland, Oregon. One night, Sean breaks into the home of Cale Erendreich (Tennant) and finds something he shouldn't see: a woman tied up and gagged in a chair. Now, Sean must unravel just what is going on here, and try his hardest to save someone he doesn't know from a bad person. Even though, he himself is a bad person as well.

"Bad Samaritan" does have its fair share of problems. For starters, the story is a muddled mess; there is nothing that really progresses, and at times, feels like the writer, Brandon Boyce, just gave up while trying to tell an interesting story. This could also be applied to the characters themselves; everyone feels one dimensional, especially most of the supporting cast, and there's no one character the audience feels for.

The direction provided by Devlin feels out of tone with the director's previous works, mostly as producer, have been in the action genre. With "Bad Samaritan" on the other hand, it seems as if Devlin had not done any research on how to make a suspenseful thriller. This, in part, could be given due to the film's pacing; at nearly two hours long, the film is unbearably slow in its execution. Yes, suspense movies are traditionally slow, but with "Bad Samaritan", it is very slow.

The rest of the film is just okay. The movie looks and sounds okay; the scenery of Portland looks nice, and the costumes add some color to this otherwise dark production. The music is okay; a bit of licensed songs would have helped. And that's pretty much it, save for one crucial key element.

David Tennant does a very good job with his role, despite what's being given to him. It seems as if this movie was made just for Tennant, who plays the bad guy with great significance.

The rest of the actors are either just fine, or just bland with what they are given. Which is a shame because there is potential for these actors, just not here.

In conclusion, "Bad Samaritan" doesn't really give out the morality it promises between good and evil, but instead, feels more like a blank slate with one good thing being attached to its name.