Destroyer (2018)

One of the last few remaining 2018 films on my watchlist —some of those are nowhere to be found so expect my list soon—, Destroyer ended up on my radar because of Nicole Kidman's highly praised performance which got her a Golden Globe nomination.

The film tells the story of now-alcoholic LAPD detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) who, seventeen years ago, was placed undercover with a veteran partner (Sebastian Stan) and infiltrated a vicious gang of bank robbers led by Silas (Toby Kebbell), a master of manipulation. When Silas reemerges, she is forced to reopen old wounds and face her demons. 

Destroyer's is a story that develops very slowly, convoluted when it doesn't have to be, less intriguing and interesting than watching raindrops race on a car window despite its twists and turns, and whose use of flashbacks to help unfold the mystery only makes the whole thing more disconcerting and confusing.

The characters are another disappointment as they lack characterization and development, especially Toby Kebbell's Silas who comes off as one of the less interesting, blandest villains ever as he is just a creepy weirdo with an intense stare. The biggest disappointment though is the leading character, Erin Bell as she isn't anything we haven't already seen before, a self-destructive —more like already destructed— wreck —emotionally and physically— who only cares for booze and revenge and doesn't seem to have any positive feelings, not even toward her teenager daughter who is becoming the woman she already is. It's not the already-seen that bothered me about Erin though, but the fact that a detective with such erratic behaviour is still on duty and still trusted with a gun.

Despite the not so good writing, Nicole Kidman finds a way to shine nevertheless. After a strong performance as a protective mother in Boy Erased, and a sweet and emotional one in Aquaman, she gives what's easily her best performance of the year as well as one of the best performances of her career. Almost unrecognizable under the makeup, she is a force to be reckoned with. Her intense and emotional performance really grabs your attention and she delivers the character's pain and bleakness wonderfully. How she lost to Close at the Globes or was snubbed at the Oscars is the greater mystery.

Annapurna Pictures

The supporting cast is obviously overshadowed by her, but a few actors still manage to leave their mark, them being Sebastian Stan as Erin's partner Chris, Toby Kebbell as Silas and Tatiana Maslany as Petra, one of Silas's gang.

Ultimately, Destroyer delivers compelling performances, a moody and quite stylish cinematography from Julie Kirkwood, and good makeup. Unfortunately, the story isn't interesting, the pacing is often too slow, and the relationship between Erin and her daughter isn't given the attention it needed and feels like a distraction.

Gone (2012)

I have a crush on Amanda Seyfried since the original Mamma Mia! came out eight years ago, but it was only years later than I became obsessed with watching all of her movies. At some point though, I got tired of watching crap so I stopped, and Gone got stuck in my endless watchlist only to pop out now as I decided to give priority to movies that have been on that list forever. 

The film follows Jill (Amanda Seyfried), a young woman who was kidnapped and abandoned in a hole in the middle of a forest a couple of years prior. When her sister (Emily Wickersham) disappears, Jill is convinced that her kidnapper has returned and took her. She goes to the police for help but they dismiss her as crazy so she sets out to find her sister and face once again her kidnapper.

The story is very promising as it gets off to a very good start. Unfortunately, the execution is terrible and the result is a very simple plot, way too simple for a thriller, that doesn't always make sense —actually, it doesn't make any sense most of the time— and whose twists and turns aren't nearly as effective as they should be —for the whole time, you are led to believe one of the characters is the kidnapper which is the only thing that kept my interest as I wanted to know whether I was right or wrong. So when the non-twist came, it was a letdown. Also, there are many subplots with potential that aren't explored at all.

The poor writing extends to the character too. While she has a backstory, although very sparse, the main character has no development whatsoever, makes the most irrational decisions possible, and often comes off an too paranoid and annoying. However, Amanda Seyfried does a good job as she conveys both a genuine sense of fear and determination and makes the character likeable and sympathetic. Her performance is very natural and believable and compelling enough to keep you watching.

The same cannot be said for the rest of the characters and cast. The characters are all wooden, with no characterization nor depth; most of them have very little if absolutely no impact on the story and are therefore forgettable. Of course, the actors can't do anything with such poor material.

Summit Entertainment

The direction is just as bad as the script as there's a complete lack of tension —although a little depressing which fits the story well, the atmosphere and tone of the film are very flat—, an underwhelming climax with no action whatsoever.

Seyfried's performance may be good and you may question whether she is just delusional or it's all real, but ultimately, Gone is a disappointment.