Shattered (2022)

Shattered (2022)

This film is also known as ‘Crush’ in Europe, particularly in French-speaking countries.

I gave this film two chances, but I’m still not convinced and there certainly won’t be a third time, because twice is enough, but three times is too much! Admittedly, it has its good points: the opening is brilliant, and the lead actress is fabulous.

And the ending? No, it’s a let-down! A mix of ridiculousness and “could have been so much better”.

There’s too much sex, brutality and blood for this to be a film entirely to my taste. Thrillers really aren’t what they used to be back when this genre was subtle. The further it goes, the heavier it gets, and the plot twists become less and less impressive or spectacular. You just want it to be over, but it seems to drag on forever…

There are certainly other films from various countries with the same title, but I don’t want to dwell on them, or on this one. It’s a real shame, because this film’s potential has clearly been squandered in spectacular fashion.

The first time I saw it, I’d already written:

Meh!
A film whose first half-hour I absolutely loved!
That’s it, that’s all!

On a slightly more serious note: every twenty minutes spent watching this film ruins it. Yet another film that falls into the category of ‘had everything going for it, but chose to get it all wrong!’

Admittedly, this new actress, Lilly Krug, is absolutely brilliant! I haven’t seen her in her first and previous film, Heart of Champions, but I’m not sure she had as big a role in that as she does here.

As for Cameron Monaghan, I think he’s best known for the series Shameless. I’ve just had a look at his filmography and it really doesn’t appeal to me. What’s more, I don’t think he’s particularly good in this film.

Luis Prieto also directed Kidnap, which was far inferior to The Call (both starring Halle Berry) and which was already a film that ran out of steam halfway through.

It’s a pleasure to see John Malkovich in this role… even though I was really hoping he’d appear more than that… but no!!!

It’s much the same for Frank Grillo!

A sultry thriller that might bring to mind the famous Basic Instinct or the less famous The Voyeurs. Torture scenes reminiscent of Misery and/or Knock Knock.
In short!
Plenty of references you can make connections with, good direction, but quite a few inconsistencies, stupid reactions at times, ridiculous moments and others you just don’t buy…

I’d say it’s a film worth watching once for all fans of everything I’ve just listed. But for everyone else, give it a miss… and will I almost envy you!!!