Review of The Gift (2015) by Spangle — 07 Aug 2015

A taut, intense, adult thriller, The Gift is a film nerds dream. Packed to the brim with references to other films, thematically riveting, and above all, thrilling beyond all imagination, the film is incredibly well done.

Thanks to a great script and direction from debut director Joel Edgerton, the story is a slow burn that really all comes together and still leaves you thinking about what you just experienced. Each line of dialogue is crucially important and revealing about the character who says it, but it is left to you to decipher what it could possibly mean.

The film is also really well shot and much of the tension comes from the framing of these shots and the mystery surrounding the proceedings. Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton are phenomenal in this one and Rebecca Hall also turns in a very strong performance.

A film that will leave you wondering where the truth lies, The Gift is truly a "gift" to 2015 and stands as one of the best psychological thrillers in recent memory. It is haunting, scary, and thrilling, but above all, wildly entertaining.