Review of The Nest (2020) by Kenr — 21 Dec 2021

There are moments of dramatic human insights within this labored work, otherwise, it comes across as overstretched pretensions of a failed family unit - falling apart from greed and superficial delusions.

It’s somewhat reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman or Eugene O’Neil but without the solid literary groundings of the latter. Direction is too often heavy handed and the trendy foul-mouthed dialog, along with a needlessly voyeuristic sex scene, limits its suitability to a wider audience.

It also dangerously flirts with other genres, at times suggesting it's heading towards a Horror theme; this will also put some audiences off. Performances from Jude Law, Carrie Coon as the parents, with Oona Roche and Charlie Shotwell as their children, are delivered in hard-working and convincing form but mostly the characters are unlikable.

Cinematography is pleasing in its own drab way and it has a pensive music score that props up its drama quite well. Perhaps if given a more even-handed approach, this might have had broader appeal. As is, can’t see too many ‘enjoying’ this one.