Review of Destroyer (2018) by Dawdlingpoet — 20 Nov 2021

This is a really quite edgy, gritty and raw type thriller film, with Nicole Kidman giving a strong performance in the main lead, as a very determined officer, willing to do whatever it takes to ger her target. It has the feel of a somewhat underground film, not so much that its a b-movie in tone but more in terms of the plot details, the dark tone of it I suppose. Its not entirely a film with lots of glitz and glamour, of course. I felt Kidman was very convincing in this film and it felt quite engrosing, although the somewhat shaky camerawork at times did put me off a little. Its relatively absorbing and intriguing, plot wise, with the viewer slowly learning more about Erin Bells background as the film continues.

The incidental music played, mostly edgy stringed instrument type music (like that used in Hitchcock films), is relatively good at adding to the general sense of uncertainty and the doubt of who will be the first to blink, if you know what I mean, although it is perhaps a little loud now and again. In that sense, its quite intriguing, even 'mean and moody'. I suppose Kidmans character is someone that many parents and police officers may/can relate to, to one extent or another. Its a relatively fast paced (if in short bursts) and frantic watch, raw and well characterised film which I'd recommend.