Simon (Jason Bateman) has cruised through life always getting what he wants, including his beautiful wife, Robyn (Rebecca Hall). The married couple has just recently moved from Chicago to a small Los Angeles suburb near where Simon grew up. When out on the town one day, Simon runs into Gordo (Joel Edgerton), a man he went to high school with nearly twenty years ago. While Gordo initially seems charming, he brings with him a series of secrets from Simon’s past. The Gift is a story of mental and emotional survival and the strain that lies can put on a relationship. As Gordo forces his way into Simon and Robyn’s life, that life is turned upside down and becomes more difficult than ever before.
From the opening moments of The Gift there is a constant, nagging uncomfortability present. Even when nothing is happening, viewers can’t help but to feel uneasy, bringing them to the edge of their seats, unable to look away. The combination of acting, somber music, and subtle adjustments to light throughout leads viewers down a rabbit hole of emotion, forcing them to dig deeper and deeper for answers. There is obviously an underlying issue present that viewers aren’t aware of for sometime, but the unrelenting darkness that fills the space on each set, whether physical or implied, gives them a reason to remain focused as they patiently await an answer. When the big reveal finally happens toward the end of The Gift, it’s clear that the wait was worth it, and jaws hit the floor when viewers finally understand Simon’s past.
The juxtaposition of Simon and Gordo is brilliantly constructed and allows viewers to feel for Gordo in ways that don’t initially seem possible. Yes, Gordo is incredibly weird and is the primary reason viewers feel tense, but Simon is this perfect combination of suave and arrogant, leaving the door open for viewers to see Gordo’s side of everything throughout The Gift. Without the proper development of Simon, the story, the stress, and the constant discomfort wouldn’t be nearly as powerful. However, given the clear expertise of Edgerton (who, in addition to portraying Gordo, writes and directs the film), every aspect of The Gift plays out beautifully.
It’s fair to say that The Gift incorporates aspects of a number of successful films into its plot and its approach to horror. From The Strangers to Fatal Attraction, Edgerton incorporates some of the greatest techniques in The Gift, enticing viewers and giving them a reason to stick around. One of the amazing things about the film is that the aspects borrowed from other films are altered and nearly perfected here. The Gift feels almost flawless from beginning to end, continuously finding new ways to intrigue audiences.
In a film that moves incredibly slow, viewers see every piece of The Gift materialize before them. Edgerton makes sure to keep viewers in the dark, but perfectly explains everything as it comes to light. Edgerton’s directorial debut proves how talented he is and that his future is bright in the director’s chair. The character development, relationships, music, lighting, etc. pulls viewers in and engulfs them in a twisted world full of lies and deceit unlike anything I’ve seen before. Impeccable casting helps bring Edgerton’s vision to life, but it’s Edgerton himself that makes everything in The Gift possible.
Written & Directed by Joel Edgerton. Starring Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Allison Tolman, Tim Griffin, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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