Review of Mute (2016) by Allan H — 24 Feb 2018

Understated, misunderstood and a great film. Highlight is Paul Rudd's 'Cactus' being genuinely dark and sinister while Alex Skarsgard does the driven, silent and often surprising 'Leo' with subtle expressions and adaptive body language.

Berlin is a hive of cyberpunk debauchery and believable tech with some beautifully crafted shots and scenes. The characters journey through this world via a twisting plot that builds to a dramatic end.

My only criticism is that the driving romantic relationship does not invest you quite enough to join Leo's determined search for his lost love. The most interesting story as a result is Paul Rudd's character Cactus and his daughter. A thoroughly conflicted character with justifiable behaviour one moment and explosively sinister behaviour the next.

Overall, if you like your sci-fi with a moody, building narrative or love the cyberpunk genre you will come away from this having enjoyed it. There are moments that are still on my mind varying from harrowing to beautiful.

Watch it and make up your own mind.