“…an intriguing and suspenseful thriller that doesn’t reveal too much of its secrets too soon.”

Whenever a new trailer comes out for a thrilling mystery film, it can be difficult to not pass judgment before we even see it. Perhaps we’ve just been let down too many times by trailers that reveal far too much and films that boast an ending you won’t see coming but instead turn out to be predictable and disappointing. I’ll admit, when I saw the trailer for The Gift (directed by and starring Joel Edgerton, 2015) I wrote it off as one of those films I assumed would disappoint me for those reasons. This is one of those instances that I’m pleased to admit I was wrong. The Gift is an intriguing and suspenseful thriller that doesn’t reveal too much of its secrets too soon. While we already know before going into the film which characters we probably shouldn’t trust, the actual secrets are genuinely surprising as they lead up to the ultimate, twist of fate ending.

This film begins with Simon (played by Jason Bateman) bumping into an old classmate named Gordo (played by Joel Edgerton).While Simon can’t seem to place Gordo, Gordo sure does remember Simon. When Simon’s wife, Robyn (played by Rebecca Hall), interrupts the conversation, Gordo gives them his phone number with the plan to catch up later. Of course, Simon doesn’t actually have any intention of calling. However, the phone number doesn’t seem to matter when Gordo begins to show up at their house, leaving them gifts, and forcing a friendship upon them that Simon doesn’t want. While Robyn believes Gordo is a little socially awkward but harmless, Simon insists it is better to start fresh, leave the past in the past, and end the pleasantries with Gordo. However, Gordo isn’t ready to let the past go like Simon has, and when Robyn begins to sense Simon is lying to her, she decides to do some investigating of her own to figure out what is really going on.

Joel Edgerton began acting in the mid-90s, and he has been in such films as Star Wars: Episode II-Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith, and the 2013 remake of The Great Gatsby. So, while acting may not be new for Edgerton, directing certainly is. The Gift is Joel Edgerton’s first major motion picture film as a director, and he just so happens to be playing one of the lead roles as well. I was delightfully surprised at the eerie tone maintained throughout the duration of the film while it maintained its sense of mystery. The role of Gordo is a complicated one, and Edgerton portrayed him masterfully. Starring alongside Jason Bateman, known for acting in the decade-long running television series Arrested Development as well as a plethora of well-received movies, Edgerton and Rebecca Hall made The Gift full of incredible performances. With most of this film anchored on the interactions of these characters, every look, touch, and facial expression plays into what the uncertain future holds for them.

With the young couple moving from Chicago back to California, I appreciated the irony of them choosing a new home with such an open layout and so many glass windows. In a way, this does represent the shift from keeping secrets to having them revealed as the story progresses. It made me think of films like The Glass House and Thir13een Ghosts, which both came out in 2001 and both had houses made of glass with secrets hidden inside. In this case, it also makes for a stalker’s dream, which is exactly what worries Robyn so much. Rebecca Hall portrays Robyn’s fear, discomfort, and loss of her sense of safety effortlessly. The Gift holds your interest with unexpected turns, truly suspenseful scenes, and a poetic ending that you likely won’t see coming. Not everything or everyone is what they seem to be, so like me, don’t make any assumptions about this film before seeing it for yourself. I’m giving this one a strong 8/10 for its interesting premise, strong performances, and well-timed twists.