Review of I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017) by Kj P — 04 Mar 2017

Netflix has done nothing but find itself on the uphill throughout the past few years. Recently gaining the rights to a long-awaited Martin Scorsese picture, there is no sight of them slowing down anytime soon. Not only are they providing the majority of the most talked about television shows on the planet, but they have recently had quite a few releases in their library of feature films. One of their latest (which was also an indie darling at festivals), I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore, is definitely one worth talking about. There are films out there that are just downright bizarre, and then there are films like this who have bizarre things happen throughout it, making an average story much more interesting. Although messy, here is why I believe it deserves your time.

Whether you are talking about Riggs and Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon or Angel and Butterman in Hot Fuzz, the number of times that a buddy film is released each year will be endless. Having Elijah Wood team-up with Melanie Lynskey is however a whole new level of strange. Following Ruth, a lonely woman who has her home invaded and robbed, she very quickly chooses to hunt down the people who did this. Gaining the help from an odd man who walks his dog past her house on a daily basis, this film very quickly transforms into a buddy film of sorts. Sprinkled with some dark comedy and some very exciting sequences, I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore was much more enjoyable than I was expecting.

Elijah Wood is no stranger to cinema, having starred as Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but ever since his fame throughout those films, his career has taken a huge dive into the independent realm. Usually actors have been found in independent films, launching themselves into Hollywood fame. In the case of Elijah Wood, it's the exact opposite. Having decided to do much smaller and more personal stories, his career has become more subdued, which I can do nothing but commend. His portrayal of this weirdo, kung-fu obsessed man is an absolute blast to see on-screen, although his character really doesn't fit the tone of the overall film in my opinion. That being said, he is the best part of the film.

While I won't go as far as to say that the core character of this film (Ruth) is particularly that of the one in Joseph Campbell's A Hero's Journey, I will say there are certainly some elements present. From being a loner, to just wanting to retrieve what was stolen from her, to being able to hold a gun and defend herself, her arc can become pretty outrageous. Melanie Lynskey gives a very believable performance here and that is truly what held my interest. If the performances throughout this film didn't feel sincere, I wouldn't have found myself enjoying this premise very much, due to the fact that it becomes completely insane by the end of the third act.

In the end, at just over 90 minutes, this film should feel like a breeze, but it really feels just as tedious as its ridiculous title. Having a pretty intriguing premise and characters that hold your interest the entire duration, I can say that I had a good time watching I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore, but I really don't think there is enough meat to this story as a whole. The writing is solid, the direction is commendable for such a low budget, and the character arcs are pretty well flesh out, but I was left hoping for a little more when the credits began to roll. I can't ever see myself revisiting this film, due to how outrageous and forgettable the ending is, but it's nice for a one-time viewing experience. Overall, it's definitely not a must see, but you probably won't regret watching it.