Terminal tells the story of Annie (Margot Robbie), a beautiful, pedantic and overachieving waitress at a train station in an unknown location. Among her, however, is a group of assassins that operate within the twisted walls of the Terminal, leading her down a road that no one will expect. With her own demented motives in place, Annie will encounter a number of eclectic individuals who put her body and mind to the test like never before, and, while nothing makes sense on the surface, Annie is determined to get what she wants.
The obtuse vernacular present throughout the course of Terminal feels a bit verbose and unnecessary, but it also appears to suffice in the grand scheme of things. Much of what takes place throughout the film feels like an attempt by writer-director Vaughn Stein to outwit his viewers and express in the most intellectual way possible that he is, in fact, a scholar of sorts. However, even in his attempt to belittle absentminded audiences, he finds a way to intrigue them all the same. It provides a sense of relief and accomplishment when one is able to understand and appreciate what has taken place, as it is quite dense and intentionally vexatious.
Like the diction, most of Terminal is meant to both vex and confuse viewers. The setting, the lighting and, the time period are never disclosed leaving viewers befuddled and unsure of what to expect next. As viewers do their best to understand the twisted nature of Terminal they have no choice but to look back at the cryptic nature of the story and come to the conclusion that nothing is as it seems. The story begins to unfold before the viewers and invites them into Annie’s journey through the Terminal. Stein finds ways to keep viewers in the dark as he refuses to provide them any context until he is good and ready. This tactic, from time to time, becomes a bit frustrating, but the pay off at the end is worth the frustratingly slow start.
What ultimately keeps viewers engaged through the slower moments of Terminal is the combination of Robbie and Simon Pegg (Bill). The banter between these two is both witty and entertaining. They have a chemistry that allows them to guide the film, develop the story, and grip viewers. While the two have never worked together before, the way in which they interact with one another feels as if they have collaborated for years. They feed off of one another’s emotions, teasing viewers because their relationship remains in the dark for so long. As the revelation of their relationship finally pokes out its elusive head, viewers’ jaws drop as they come to understand, better than before, how talented the two actors are.
The entire film, from start to finish, even as Stein brings to light the realities of the characters and their stories, remains dark, dreary, and difficult to comprehend. Like the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Terminal can be difficult to follow, and Stein makes sure to reference this novel as often as possible to remind viewers that there is no escape in sight, and they are in for the long haul whether they like it or not. As the characters twist and turn through the dark corridors of the Terminal, the understanding that something is eventually coming resonates with said viewers, keeping them interested and focused. When that something does eventually come, the payoff is better than expected. Stein drags viewers along and promises them a return for their dedication, and boy does he deliver.
Written & Directed by Vaughn Stein. Starring Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg, Dexter Fletcher, Mike Myers, Max Irons, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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