Directed by:
Alejandro AmenábarScreenplay:
Alejandro AmenábarCinematography:
Daniel AranyóComposer:
Roque BañosCast:
Ethan Hawke, Emma Watson, David Thewlis, Dale Dickey, David Dencik, Aaron Ashmore, Devon Bostick, Adam Butcher, Kristian Bruun, Aaron Abrams, Lothaire Bluteau (more)Plots(1)
In Minnesota in 1990, car mechanic John Gray (David Dencik) is called to the police station to answer allegations of sexual abuse against his 17-year-old daughter Angela (Emma Watson). He says that, while he doesn't remember anything about it, he is certain his daughter never lies - and therefore he must be guilty. The investigating detective Bruce Kenner (Ethan Hawke) asks psychology professor Kenneth Raines (David Thewlis) to assist them, using regression therapy to take Gray back to the time of the alleged incident. Gray visualises himself taking pictures of Angela being tied down and subjected to a Satanic sexual ritual by detective George Nesbitt (Aaron Ashmore). When Kenner and Raines question Angela, she confirms that she's been abused by a Satanic cult. As the case progresses, Raines and Kenner uncover ever more suspects - and also begin to fear their lives are in danger. (Channel 4)
(more)Reviews (3)
It’s impossible to write much about Amenábar’s new thriller without spoilers. During the story I was truly surprised that an A-list director with an A-list cast has made such a B-movie - a trashy Satanist tale where much of the (to be fair, not insignificant) fun lies in comparing the intended effects of each scene with their real effects. It’s a lot of fun, really, and a horror guilty-pleasure for the most part, because I actually like this type of clichéd silliness with Satanist cults, rituals, etc. But in the end it breaks down, though not nearly enough for Regression to suddenly become a smart film, but too much for me to keep on making contemptuous fun of it. So nothing, basically. Maybe 60%, but it could move either way.
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The premise is good here, the cast is solid (Ethan Hawke and Emma Watson), the technical side is also very solid, but that's where the praise ends. At times the atmosphere manages to cast a spell, but I was bored for a good part of it (this is a subjective opinion, though). Regression is more akin to a crime thriller, it only brushes up against horror perhaps with the plot of a case involving a satanic cult, but even the final twist didn't impress me much. I didn't like it very much, but it will find its fans. Story 5/10, Atmosphere 6/10, Gore 0/10, Visuals 7/10, Action 1/10, Suspense 3/10, Humor 0/10. Entertainment 5/10. 55%
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Amenábar certainly has the ability to direct better films, as he has demonstrated to us several times. However, on the other hand, this really isn't as bad as some people say it is. You just have to accept its more lowbrow style and not expect something that completely changes the genre, or leaves you breathless at the end like The Others. That's just not the case here. But the game with the human mind and what is reality and what isn't is still presented well here.
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