I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into detail, but this film was going along pretty well, with enough mystery, drama, character development, redemption, acceptance, relationship, family, love, etc, etc....very interesting concept and held my attention throughout trying to figure things out and what exactly happened. There were a few ways this could go and the film maker did a good job to showcase those avenues to keep things interesting and mysterious and leave plenty of room for a twist and surprise ending. Well the surprise was they basically ruined it all in the last 10 minutes using that old time tested and overused method of suspense, which frankly bugs the heck out of me, which is having characters make implausible decisions and do things that no normal, rational or even irrational person would do. The decisions and actions made by several characters in the ending scenes were just so implausible that I docked 1 star, being generous too. So this gets just a 6, watchable, but I believe it could have garnered 7, a fair movie, easily with just a little better writing when they wrapped things up.
101 Reviews
Different thriller and scary in parts
phd_travel8 September 2019
This isn't a typical thriller. The cast is quite good even supporting cast so that should indicate that it's not a second rate show. It's different. Starts off like a psychological thriller. Then things become more crime drama with an unexpected villain. The conclusion is unexpected but at least doesn't leave you hanging totally.
Margaret Qualley is getting lots of good roles and she is quite watchable. Amy Ryan plays the bitter Mother and divorcee quite well.
Worth a watch.
Margaret Qualley is getting lots of good roles and she is quite watchable. Amy Ryan plays the bitter Mother and divorcee quite well.
Worth a watch.
Better than the rating suggests.
rhcppepers25 September 2019
This is a solid movie. Slow in parts, but not too slow. It throws in a few surprises, but I saw many of those coming. Very few movies are truly original these days, but this film does a good job of repackaging what has come before. Can't complain about the acting and directing. It's solid enough for a film of this kind.
It's a decent little movie, which I would recommend.
It's a decent little movie, which I would recommend.
What an engaging plot
Gordon-1114 September 2019
This film tells the story of a woman who believes she carries the child of her dead boyfriend.
The plot is mysterious to start with, and then becomes very engaging and captivating. I really feel for all the characters, including the mother, father, brother, the girlfriend and the girlfriend's neighbors. Who would have thought the plot takes such a dramatic turn and becomes so touching. I really enjoyed this film.
The plot is mysterious to start with, and then becomes very engaging and captivating. I really feel for all the characters, including the mother, father, brother, the girlfriend and the girlfriend's neighbors. Who would have thought the plot takes such a dramatic turn and becomes so touching. I really enjoyed this film.
What does sudden loss to do a family?
aarpcats1 September 2020
Movie thrillers and mysteries usually revolve around a "McGuffin," an art of fiction set up to establish the plot and motivate the characters but which matters very little by the end of the movie. It's the trap the filmmaker sets to capture the audience to invest them in the story he/she wants to tell.
In this movie, the McGuffin is the mystery itself. The filmmaker doesn't ask us to believe that a ghost can impregnate a sad and grieving girl. Instead, it asks us to look at how loss can become grievance and become toxic, and what it takes to remember who and why we love.
Give it a chance.
In this movie, the McGuffin is the mystery itself. The filmmaker doesn't ask us to believe that a ghost can impregnate a sad and grieving girl. Instead, it asks us to look at how loss can become grievance and become toxic, and what it takes to remember who and why we love.
Give it a chance.
Can't even lie I actually really enjoyed that
nathanmanson10 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I did no research on this film like I normally do, I just chucked it on. I was massively surprised, it was well acted through out and had a really good storyline. It kept me hooked from the first minute which is hard to do. When she found them pills I was like ohhhhh that's where the film is going, okay I get you. I've genuinely got no faults with the film, I'm very impressed. It even had a happy ending, what more could you want.
Well
andreaweibley6 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I cant believe half the people didnt get who the dad was. Nothing supernatural occurred, the old dude was drugging her with rohypnol and raping her. Pretty dark stuff.
I enjoyed it all until the mom and dad showed up at the old creeps house and suddenly seemed unable to use their brains. The slow motion dramatics were goofy too. I assume by the flowery last few seconds of the movie everyone just kept believing the dead kid was the dad, because only 2 people knew the truth and one is dead and I guess the other must have killed himself, though it isnt blatantly shown.
I enjoyed it all until the mom and dad showed up at the old creeps house and suddenly seemed unable to use their brains. The slow motion dramatics were goofy too. I assume by the flowery last few seconds of the movie everyone just kept believing the dead kid was the dad, because only 2 people knew the truth and one is dead and I guess the other must have killed himself, though it isnt blatantly shown.
Far-tetched.
samhill521524 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Stylistically this movie is fine. Great acting, good character development, technically well done. In fact I found myself becoming truly invested in the plot to the point I was shouting at the screen when the characters did something dumb. That's the problem here, the premise is, well, dumb. It's the twenty-first century, no one buys immaculate conception and when postmortem sperm collection is eliminated the only thing left is obvious. I won't reveal the father but when he first appeared in the movie I remember suggesting him as the candidate to my wife. That and Melissa's unexplained blackouts.
So, after I watched the film and thought about it dispassionately I was left with the following questions:
1. Why didn't she see a doctor about her blackouts? 2. When she became pregnant why did she go to a spiritualist instead? 3. I know Ronnie had been her only lover but come on! How could she possibly think him the father? 4. Why didn't anyone think to perform a paternity test through amniocenteses? Ronnie's father was a doctor. Instead of suggesting it he instead paid for her rent and expenses.
So there you have it. I liked the film and would have watched it knowing these faults but would have been much more dispassionate. I don't know if that's a good thing. You judge.
So, after I watched the film and thought about it dispassionately I was left with the following questions:
1. Why didn't she see a doctor about her blackouts? 2. When she became pregnant why did she go to a spiritualist instead? 3. I know Ronnie had been her only lover but come on! How could she possibly think him the father? 4. Why didn't anyone think to perform a paternity test through amniocenteses? Ronnie's father was a doctor. Instead of suggesting it he instead paid for her rent and expenses.
So there you have it. I liked the film and would have watched it knowing these faults but would have been much more dispassionate. I don't know if that's a good thing. You judge.
Promising first half, yet the second part of this movie is burdenend by a lot of far fetched implausible plot turns.
imseeg10 August 2021
This movie starts out promising, because the mystery of why a girlfriend claims to be pregnant from her dead boyfriend 5 YEARS AFTER is intrigueing for sure. That is to say at the beginning...
The bad: this story has so many far fetched implausible plot turns piled on each other in the second part of this movie that it really makes it a bit of a disappointment to watch.
Not any good? Yes, the actor's are really good with true to life acting performances. The start is really good and promising. And however silly the many implausible plot turns are, for those who arent so critical it could be a nice thriller. But dont expect originality...
The bad: this story has so many far fetched implausible plot turns piled on each other in the second part of this movie that it really makes it a bit of a disappointment to watch.
Not any good? Yes, the actor's are really good with true to life acting performances. The start is really good and promising. And however silly the many implausible plot turns are, for those who arent so critical it could be a nice thriller. But dont expect originality...
Odd but interesting
RMurray8478 March 2021
STRANGE BUT TRUE is an interesting example of a film that has an amazing cast, an unusual & intriguing story...and yet doesn't really work.
It's not a spoiler to give you the basic premise on which the entire film rotates, because we're presented it within the first few minutes. Philip (Nick Robinson from LOVE, SIMON) is at home recuperating from a mysterious leg injury. He's been living on his own in NYC, but is at his mother's home in upstate NY to recover. Mom (Amy Ryan) is still angry and grieving and extremely bitter from the death 5 years ago of her older son (who died on prom night). She's so bitter than she drove away her husband (Greg Kinnear), now living with his new girlfriend in Florida. Into this scenario steps the older son's girlfriend Melissa (Margaret Qualley), who is very pregnant, and claims that the child is the long dead son's, because she hasn't been with another man since his death.
It sounds silly and almost like the start of either study of immaculate conception or perhaps something supernatural. But the film keeps things firmly rooted in the "real" world (real is quotes, because the plot takes some pretty crazy turns, all rooted in non-supernatural circumstances, but nearly has outlandish). Everyone seems to have secrets. Kinnear happens to be a fertility doctor...did he have something to do with this pregnancy? What part does an older couple (Brian Cox, Blythe Danner) play; they've taken Melissa in to live with them after mom essentially tossed her out. Is something going on there? What about the younger son? He's got some secrets, it seems.
And at the center of it all is the always terrific Amy Ryan. She's 100% convincing in her anger towards everyone around her and at circumstance. She's never found a place to put her grief and anger, so she lashes out sarcastically at everyone in her circle. She's totally convincing, and this makes it hard to care for her as a character in a fictional film. She's totally off-putting as well, hard to warm up to and ultimately hard to really empathize with. I appreciated her performance; I didn't love it.
The entire movie is interesting but never gripping. Scenes are presented in a way that clearly suggest emotional heft or are meant to be a serious examination of the all-too-short nature of life (and how we can't waste any time living it.) Yet I never felt any really strong connection to any character. And it's this connection (which is missing) that is needed to make the more thriller-like events of the latter portion of the film truly gripping. Instead, I was mildly amused at some of the unlikely plot twists and towards the end, my real feeling about the film was that a lot of solid performers signed up to participate in a film that must have looked great on paper, but somehow fails to truly resonate.
It's a briskly paced film, and that's a good thing. If you're not wrapped up in the characters, you want your plot points to come at a brisk pace, and they do. So STRANGE BUT TRUE is also ODD BUT INTERESTING. I have no regrets in seeing the film, but it also left no real lingering after image or strong emotion.
It's not a spoiler to give you the basic premise on which the entire film rotates, because we're presented it within the first few minutes. Philip (Nick Robinson from LOVE, SIMON) is at home recuperating from a mysterious leg injury. He's been living on his own in NYC, but is at his mother's home in upstate NY to recover. Mom (Amy Ryan) is still angry and grieving and extremely bitter from the death 5 years ago of her older son (who died on prom night). She's so bitter than she drove away her husband (Greg Kinnear), now living with his new girlfriend in Florida. Into this scenario steps the older son's girlfriend Melissa (Margaret Qualley), who is very pregnant, and claims that the child is the long dead son's, because she hasn't been with another man since his death.
It sounds silly and almost like the start of either study of immaculate conception or perhaps something supernatural. But the film keeps things firmly rooted in the "real" world (real is quotes, because the plot takes some pretty crazy turns, all rooted in non-supernatural circumstances, but nearly has outlandish). Everyone seems to have secrets. Kinnear happens to be a fertility doctor...did he have something to do with this pregnancy? What part does an older couple (Brian Cox, Blythe Danner) play; they've taken Melissa in to live with them after mom essentially tossed her out. Is something going on there? What about the younger son? He's got some secrets, it seems.
And at the center of it all is the always terrific Amy Ryan. She's 100% convincing in her anger towards everyone around her and at circumstance. She's never found a place to put her grief and anger, so she lashes out sarcastically at everyone in her circle. She's totally convincing, and this makes it hard to care for her as a character in a fictional film. She's totally off-putting as well, hard to warm up to and ultimately hard to really empathize with. I appreciated her performance; I didn't love it.
The entire movie is interesting but never gripping. Scenes are presented in a way that clearly suggest emotional heft or are meant to be a serious examination of the all-too-short nature of life (and how we can't waste any time living it.) Yet I never felt any really strong connection to any character. And it's this connection (which is missing) that is needed to make the more thriller-like events of the latter portion of the film truly gripping. Instead, I was mildly amused at some of the unlikely plot twists and towards the end, my real feeling about the film was that a lot of solid performers signed up to participate in a film that must have looked great on paper, but somehow fails to truly resonate.
It's a briskly paced film, and that's a good thing. If you're not wrapped up in the characters, you want your plot points to come at a brisk pace, and they do. So STRANGE BUT TRUE is also ODD BUT INTERESTING. I have no regrets in seeing the film, but it also left no real lingering after image or strong emotion.
Oh Greg Kinnear I hope the money was worth it
darthsteele-393388 September 2020
First, why are so many people asking who the father is? They make it perfectly apparent who the father is in the middle of the movie. Second, why do writers and directors refuse to have their characters call 911 or give them any common sense? This movie is just another stupid waste of time. Come on filmmakers, please create something smarter and better! And Greg Kinnear, I love you but damn.
An enjoyable noir-thriller about grief, belief and the things we keep hidden
Top_Dawg_Critic7 September 2019
This is newbie director Rowan Athale's second full length feature film (plus one short), and aside from a few technical errors and editing issues, he pretty much nailed it behind the camera and in directing his cast.
The film is an adaptation of the novel (I haven't read it) of the same name by John Searles, turned into a screenplay by novice writer Eric Garcia. The pacing started out decent, then slowed down midway, and felt dragged out towards the end, that the 96 min run-time felt longer. I wasn't a fan of the non-climatic stretch of cross-cutting time lines, and I felt the story would've been better told in the proper order.
Casting was excellent and all actors were convincing in their roles, especially Margaret Qualley, who was outstanding in her starring role.
The cinematography was on point, and the score perfect for this type of film.
For a low-budget B-grade film by unseasoned filmmakers, this was a surprisingly enjoyable noir-thriller about grief, belief and the things we keep hidden.
It's a recommended watch and a well deserved 8/10 from me.
The film is an adaptation of the novel (I haven't read it) of the same name by John Searles, turned into a screenplay by novice writer Eric Garcia. The pacing started out decent, then slowed down midway, and felt dragged out towards the end, that the 96 min run-time felt longer. I wasn't a fan of the non-climatic stretch of cross-cutting time lines, and I felt the story would've been better told in the proper order.
Casting was excellent and all actors were convincing in their roles, especially Margaret Qualley, who was outstanding in her starring role.
The cinematography was on point, and the score perfect for this type of film.
For a low-budget B-grade film by unseasoned filmmakers, this was a surprisingly enjoyable noir-thriller about grief, belief and the things we keep hidden.
It's a recommended watch and a well deserved 8/10 from me.
Guessing
westsideschl10 November 2019
This is one of those mystery tales that keeps you guessing as to why our young female is now pregnant from, she believes, her deceased boyfriend from five years ago. We are teased with several possibilities from the mysterious to the bizarre. Of course the answer as to what happened occurs in the final minutes so be patient as you guess who, or what happened.
unearned reveal
SnoopyStyle18 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Ronnie Chase (Connor Jessup) is going to prom with his girlfriend Melissa Moody (Margaret Qualley). He has loving parents (Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear) and adoring brother Philip (Nick Robinson). He dies. Five years later, a very pregnant Melissa shows up claiming Philip to be the father. She has been staying with kindly couple Bill (Brian Cox) and Gail (Blythe Danner) after getting kick out of her home by her parents.
First, the reveal is unearned. It needs foreshadowing. Philip in crutches stumbling in the woods should not be the foreshadowing. It should be something about the actual twist. It would also help to explain Melissa's relationship with Bill and Gail. I know there are issues with story construction but for most of the movie, I kept wondering who they are to Melissa. The movie should probably start with Melissa's first meeting with them.
Second, the last act is basically a series of dumb actions from the characters. He's hopping around and she's in medical distress. There is no way that he would go back looking for people. It makes no sense. The sequencing needs to change. When he goes into the house to get her, that's when he can be taken. When the parents arrive, they are perfectly able to make a call but minutes later, there is no signal. WTF and people never call the cops first. She should call the cops. When she can't find the signal, go to the car and drive until you get a signal. Nobody ever calls the cops. Even after hearing a gun shot, they're still yelling out. They are so dumb.
First, the reveal is unearned. It needs foreshadowing. Philip in crutches stumbling in the woods should not be the foreshadowing. It should be something about the actual twist. It would also help to explain Melissa's relationship with Bill and Gail. I know there are issues with story construction but for most of the movie, I kept wondering who they are to Melissa. The movie should probably start with Melissa's first meeting with them.
Second, the last act is basically a series of dumb actions from the characters. He's hopping around and she's in medical distress. There is no way that he would go back looking for people. It makes no sense. The sequencing needs to change. When he goes into the house to get her, that's when he can be taken. When the parents arrive, they are perfectly able to make a call but minutes later, there is no signal. WTF and people never call the cops first. She should call the cops. When she can't find the signal, go to the car and drive until you get a signal. Nobody ever calls the cops. Even after hearing a gun shot, they're still yelling out. They are so dumb.
Engaging mystery turns into thrill-less thriller.
submachine2 February 2020
Not sure what happened here but it's an interesting case study.
This worst titled movie ever starts with a well-crafted, unpredictable mystery with just enough hints dropped to completely engage the audience and keep them guessing. All the way up until the final mind-blowing clue, the movie works.
And then that all goes away, and it's one contrived, cliched confrontation after another. Complex characters all become one-dimensional morons, and the movie degrades into mindless, forgettable action replacing thoughtful dialogue.
Great premise ruined at the end by amateurish, unnecessary "guns and blood!"
This worst titled movie ever starts with a well-crafted, unpredictable mystery with just enough hints dropped to completely engage the audience and keep them guessing. All the way up until the final mind-blowing clue, the movie works.
And then that all goes away, and it's one contrived, cliched confrontation after another. Complex characters all become one-dimensional morons, and the movie degrades into mindless, forgettable action replacing thoughtful dialogue.
Great premise ruined at the end by amateurish, unnecessary "guns and blood!"
Very good evening entertainment!
eliinite10 September 2019
It's a noir-thriller about metaphysics and family matters (forgiveness, grief...)
Reminded me a lot the style and drama of a very recent movie Angel of mine.
A real glued- to- screen thriller with enormous suspense.
Enjoyed very much this you- just- don't- know- the- solution- until- the- end! This is a movie you have to watch VERY attentively, otherwise you wont get the answer. Dont go to the kitchen to search for food in the fridge!
A real glued- to- screen thriller with enormous suspense.
Enjoyed very much this you- just- don't- know- the- solution- until- the- end! This is a movie you have to watch VERY attentively, otherwise you wont get the answer. Dont go to the kitchen to search for food in the fridge!
Not bad
pensacolacomputer8 September 2019
If you don't know who the father is or don't understand the movie.....
natcalgary9 September 2019
Then you didn't pay enough attention.
It bugs me when people give the movie low rating but their comments make it obvious that they didn't pay attention or missed major parts.
This was a slow burn at the beginning but once we found out who the father was it picked up and concluded very well.
The acting was great
over all
5.9
It bugs me when people give the movie low rating but their comments make it obvious that they didn't pay attention or missed major parts.
This was a slow burn at the beginning but once we found out who the father was it picked up and concluded very well.
The acting was great
over all
5.9
Pretty good
lashonda_kellem10 September 2019
Utterly bad
emutown19 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
My husband and I have major respect for several of the actors in this movie. Well known, talented, versatile actors that shouldn't have been a part of this production. So mad props to whomever was able to sign them for the parts.
That being said, this movie was utterly awful. We couldn't quite figure out why the director made the choices he did, as the scenes did not flow whatsoever. The writing was DREADFUL. There were scenes insanely out of place, unorganized, simply dumb (things they say are such "duh" moments), and flat out unnecessary. We found ourselves predicting all outcomes throughout. There is no twist, no thrilling value at all. This director failed this story, And the writers ruined the potential with the wonderful actors. I mean, seriously? An old, overweight man date raping a young girl, then chasing a young adult through the woods? It's just so absurd. We were honestly surprised this movie had a 5.8 rating. Don't waste your time on this nonsense!
That being said, this movie was utterly awful. We couldn't quite figure out why the director made the choices he did, as the scenes did not flow whatsoever. The writing was DREADFUL. There were scenes insanely out of place, unorganized, simply dumb (things they say are such "duh" moments), and flat out unnecessary. We found ourselves predicting all outcomes throughout. There is no twist, no thrilling value at all. This director failed this story, And the writers ruined the potential with the wonderful actors. I mean, seriously? An old, overweight man date raping a young girl, then chasing a young adult through the woods? It's just so absurd. We were honestly surprised this movie had a 5.8 rating. Don't waste your time on this nonsense!
Cool
andymclovin4 November 2019
Predictable but laughable
sagetwo19 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The movie attempts to lead the main characters and audience to think that a girl is heavily pregnant with her dead boyfriend's child. Throughout the movie, there is a focus on the biblical cross. Supernatural/miracle or something more? The girl later talks about blackouts which could mean a possible rape. The audience knows later who is the real father of the child. Besides the somewhat predictable narrative, the chemistry and acting performance were laughable. As a result, I don't recommend this movie to others.
Much better than the bad reviews I read before watching it.
caesaro20011 November 2020
It's very believable. It's a situation that is plausible. It kept me entertained throughout the movie. I don't understand the bad reviews. Now I know not to believe the reviews. I was looking to be entertained and I was entertained.
Don't judge a film by it's trailer
dar041710 October 2019
When you see the trailer to film you probably will find it hard to watch. The acting is solid and the story in all does make sense. It's hard to say if this is a drama or teen movie. I guess it is up to you to decide.
Strange but true: people actually invested money to make this movie
carlos-pires1 November 2019
Good concept, terrible execution. Wanna hear the recipe for this disaster? Here goes:
1. Make sure your characters are 0.0001mm thick.
2. Make sure you cast pretty models and at least 1 veteran class A actor.
3. Make sure your characters' actions make no sense, ever.
3-b. Make sure the middle age woman acts hysterical the whole time (and you should know I'm a middle age guy with an inevitable bias against middle age women... I can't even imagine how a sane woman will evaluate this idiotic impersonation of a divorced woman with a dead son)
4. Make sure to crap everything up even further with a blissfully idiotic and cringeworthy ending no sane person would be comfortable with.
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