Reviews

I actually didn't expect this film to be so hated, but then again, most people today wouldn't know a good movie even if it slapped them in the face. It's movies that get reviews like these that scares movie companies from releasing good films, and it's because of that we get sequels, prequels, reboots, and remakes that people don't need.

Ana de Armas was an incredible Marilyn Monroe in this film. She did such an outstanding job and really put all of her heart and soul into this role. The supporting cast such as Adrian Brody, Julianne Nicholson, and Bobby Cannavale also did an amazing job in this film. The cinematography and execution of the story was absolutely magnificent, and with a score that definitely matches the tone for every scene that includes it makes for one of the best films I have ever seen this year. Despite the very long 2 hour and 47 minute runtime, the movie moved at a very slow but rewarding pace. It's because of that runtime that the story feels fleshed out and allows the tragic portrait of Marilyn Monroe to really shine. Due to Ana de Armas's magnificent portrayal, you end up feeling for the character, and the way the movie shows her emotions and all of the traumatizing moments she goes through really has a lasting effect on you. This was a perfect runtime in my opinion. Nothing in this film felt rushed. Everything was brilliantly executed.

In the end, I actually don't really have a complaint for this movie. The last thirty minutes or so really got dark, which I wasn't expecting. Even though I expected a scene where Marilyn overdoses on barbiturates, the way it was done was definitely a bit disturbing, even more so since they shot the scene in the exact same room where the real Marilyn's body was found. Now, for those of you who are giving bad reviews for the movie not being accurate enough to Marilyn Monroe's real life, there is some accuracy to her life. This movie is based on a book that was a fictionalized tale of the life of Marilyn Monroe. It's fiction! Don't people know how to read? I'll be damned if the acting or this movie itself isn't noticed by the Academy Awards. This was an incredible movie and I do hope people realize what this movie was trying to do soon. I absolutely loved this movie.

After seeing the previews that stated this film came from the producers of 2017's 47 Meters Down, I kind of knew what to expect when I walked into the theater. It does not disappoint. If anything, the trailer only gave me a glimpse of what I was about to go through. I'm not a fan of heights, even though they don't scare me as much as they used to, so watching this film was like a nightmare. In a good way of course.

Grace Caroline Currey (Becky) had an amazing performance. After losing her husband, she portrays the grief her character goes through really well, and although the film mentions it and even shows it briefly, I wish more time was spent on that. As for the movie itself, it moved at a brisk pace despite the 1 hour and 47 minute runtime. While the two girls are stuck at the top of the tower, the film explores an internal conflict between them, which provided tension between the characters, which I quite liked. It had a decent score, and some great cinematography, which I wasn't expecting. However, what I did not like about this film was that it re-uses the same plot twist as 47 Meters Down, just used in a different way. However, while the twist in 47 Meters Down was clever, Fall's twist doesn't make sense at all, and it had a tough time leading me to believe the film's events after that.

All in all, Fall is a pretty decent movie. While I think it was miles better than 47 Meters Down pacing wise, I don't think a plot twist was needed for this film. People who have seen the aforementioned film will notice the lazy plot twist and will think it's a waste, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, this movie left me breathless and had me on the edge of my seat with its suspense. It kept me guessing at least until the plot twist. That's when I started predicting the events of the film. It's not bad. Should definitely be seen in theaters.

I'll admit, I didn't go into the film expecting an award winning masterpiece, but when a director with the biggest pair of balls introduces a topic with really shaky ground, you really have to give him credit. However, there are a few faults I have with it.

First of all, I'm not at all against the premise of the film. In fact, the plot is the reason why I gave it a shot. A group of LGBTQIA+ teens sent to conversion therapy camp while a killer is on the loose is stunningly original. Kevin Bacon was great as always and played his part amazingly. The characters had some depth to them and made it feel real. The circle trust scene was very well written, and all of the acting was great. Despite what many people have said, I quite enjoyed that musical number from the characters. It made them feel real and easier to connect with.

Now, let's talk about the bad. While the first half started off consistently, the second half of the film started losing its focus. It was like writer/director John Logan had no idea where to go with these characters after building them up. Also, it's really slow for a horror slasher. Yes, one person is killed off about 30 minutes in, but the real action doesn't start until 1 hour and 10 minutes into the movie. If you're going to try to make a movie with that slow of a pacing, there needs to be internal conflicts and psychological horror. But what does the movie do? Have Kevin Bacon make one of the teens shoot a dog. By the time the climax comes, you're already bored out of your mind, and that "twist" is so predictable and cheap. There's no real scares or substance to the film, since the vast majority of its main characters have plot armor.

In the end, They/Them had an amazing premise, but falls short after the first 40 minutes of the movie. It's agonizingly slow, and it's after that the movie kind of just drops everything. There wasn't anything to keep me interested in the film. I get what the movie was trying to do, and for the most part, it does it pretty well. But for a movie marketed as a slasher, it's very disappointing. Most of the damn kills are off-screen! I really don't recommend wasting your time with this movie.