What Comes Around – Film Review

The immersive thriller What Comes Around sends viewers on an emotional rollercoaster. The story delves into the complexities of a young romance that develops into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, leaving the audience to wonder about the motivations of each character. Grace Van Dien as Anna, Summer Phoenix as Beth, Jesse Garcia as Tim, Kyle Gallner as Eric, and Indiana Affleck as Denny lead the talented ensemble cast in engrossing performances that up the ante and keep audiences riveted to the screen. Redford’s talent as a director is on display as she deftly spins a web of deceit and intrigue throughout the movie.

The plot of What Comes Around centers on the love affair between Anna (Grace Van Dien), a young woman with a shadowy past, and Eric (Kyle Gallner), a charismatic and endearing man. Their relationship takes off quickly, but as the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that nothing is what it seems.

The film expertly employs nonlinear storytelling to reveal crucial puzzle pieces, leaving the audience wondering about the characters’ intentions throughout. The development of the plot is affected by the secrets that each character is hiding, keeping the audience guessing up until the exciting climax.

The performance of Grace Van Dien as Anna is one of the movie’s highlights. She expertly captures Anna’s frailty, tenacity, and gradual evolution from a young, infatuated woman to a determined survivor. Van Dien and Kyle Gallner have a scorching chemistry that makes their love story compelling and believable. Eric is portrayed by Gallner with the ideal amount of charm and ambiguity, leaving the audience wondering what his true motivations are.

Beth is portrayed by Summer Phoenix in a spellbinding performance that gives the role a sense of mystery and unpredictability. Her interactions with Eric produce a tense environment that ups the tension in the movie. In their respective roles, supporting actors Jesse Garcia as Tim and Indiana Affleck as Denny both excel.

The film’s stunning cinematography enhances Amy Redford‘s directional vision. A sense of claustrophobia and unease is evoked by the use of dimly lit scenes, contrasting colors, and close framing, which mirrors the characters’ emotional states. The subtle facial expressions of the characters are also expertly captured by the camera work, heightening the suspense and tension.

Trust, betrayal, and the effects of one’s past deeds are some of the themes explored in What Comes Around. It explores the notion that love has the power to be a double-edged sword, able to both heal and cause irreparable harm. The movie deftly employs symbolism, such as recurring themes and visual cues, to communicate underlying meanings and anticipate crucial moments. Redford pays close attention to each of these elements, which enhances the experience and encourages in-depth contemplation and engagement.

What Comes Around, which clocks in at just under 90 minutes, occasionally struggles with how brief it actually is. Unfortunately, the pacing can be a little hit or miss at times, so this story would have greatly benefited from a longer running time. Additionally, the movie isn’t very watchable again. When you watch the movie again, you’ll probably find that it isn’t as exciting because a lot of the suspense depends on the twist.

What Comes Around is a suspenseful thriller that succeeds in keeping the viewer in suspense all the way to the very end. The skill with which Amy Redford handles the complexities of love, deceit, and suspense is evident in her direction. The cast’s outstanding performances, especially those of Grace Van Dien and Summer Phoenix, add to the movie’s ferocity and emotional resonance. The film’s overall execution and attention to detail make it a compelling and memorable cinematic experience, even though the pacing could have been tighter in some places. What Comes Around is unquestionably an exciting and thought-provoking journey into the depths of human emotions and secrets that fans of psychological thrillers will enjoy.