Doe (2018) User Reviews

Already Been Done Before In John Doe

[omendata · 6/10 · 21 August 2019]

The reviewers who think this is terribly original have obviously never seen the superlative series John Doe with Dominic Purcell which is still one of my favourite Scifi-Mystery series of all time .

Having said that this is not bad at all for a low budget movie; they took the idea from the John Doe series and expanded upon it and unlike the series (sadly) we do actually get an ending with everything explained which was not entirely original either but this is well above average viewing material.

Acting from all was pretty superb and although it does feel like a tv movie or episode of CSI at times it pulls it out of the bag and gets an above average 6/10 from me!

Solid sci-fi

[tellstar · 7/10 · 18 August 2019]

Interesting SF film that is largely a detective story. The film offers engaging actors and doesn't promise more than it can deliver. Had the courage to engage my interest throughout simply through storytelling, instead of relying on violence and over-the-top action, which so many films do.

Sad but overall good

[nare-65861 · 7/10 · 27 November 2020]

Very good story line and actors. Tatiyana was great in thiis so we're the lead actors. Ending was very sad! Give it a chance you will love it!

Worth a watch

[squidfish · 6/10 · 14 June 2021]

The story is interesting enough to keep you engaged, the acting is ok, the dialogue is a little clunky in places with no really memorable lines ... its a solid 6. Entertaining enough to fill a couple of hours.

More like, "Doh!"

[rsvp321 · 15 August 2019]

I enjoyed it, I am so fed up with the current Hollywood garbage that I'm finding these "indies" films often superior.

This one has an interesting story, could have developed into something a lot more unique - esp for the ending, but it is what it is...

My only serious critique is the dialogue, and I blame the director for it. There is so much silence between the words, either while one actor is slowly saying his part, or before the next actor starts speaking. If you add up all the empty audio, I'm sure it would be ~twenty minutes for the movie! Pick up the pace!

Excellent for background noise, if you're multitasking.

Not a bad film

[sarahryansr · 7/10 · 6 August 2019]

Really enjoyed this film definitely worth a watch.

Cool concept, poorly executed.

[travis-a-greene · 5/10 · 9 November 2020]

"Doe" plays out a little bit like an episode of Black Mirror. The concept is great(I won't spoil it) most everything else is not. The characters are 2D. The acting is often laughable due in part to a script with the emotional depth of most video game scripts. Doesn't quite make it to the "so bad it's good" territory. It's just a mildly interesting scenario with a very generic adaptation.

Solid indie sci-fi thriller

[jamesalmos · 7/10 · 8 August 2019]

I'd call this one an above average entry into the low-budget sci-fi thriller category.

The Good: 1) Intriguing premise - not 100% original, but an interesting turn on more-common themes 2) Acting is better than expected from a low-budget film 3) Same goes for the cinematography 4) Manages not to give away the rest of the plot during exposition 5) Mathew St. Patrick (and Timothy Davis, for that matter)

The Bad: 1)Props in a couple scenes scream of high school theater 2) Obviously couldn't afford/secure better shooting locations, which hurt some scenes a bit 3) Tatyana Ali's character was flat; really wasted her presence

This isn't a movie you're going to rush to tell your friends about, but you also won't be wasting your time watching. It's a compelling enough narrative outright. You just have to be able to de-hollywood your expectations to get the most out of it.

Full disclosure: I know someone who was involved with this film, so I gave an unearned extra star here.

Downer

[compugor · 1/10 · 13 October 2020]

Drawn out, unsavory and annoying, the slow reveal leaves a bad taste with no satisfaction. The wife character, played by Tatyana Ali, is irksome throughout, adding to the frustration of the storyline. Disjointed imagery of rabbits is never adequately explained and only adds to the flawed execution of the outlandish premise.

Good and captivating

[axeltf-08808 · 9/10 · 19 August 2019]

I got this relatively unknown movie recommended to me, and upon watching it I was captivated. The best part is easily the story, it is unique and interesting. Main character is great, and fits perfectly in the rest of the film. Just overall a really good and original indie film, worth seeing especially if you're tired of soulless blockbusters for 300 million dollars and connected movie universes etc.

Terrible

[qui_j · 3/10 · 28 September 2020]

The formula for this movie must have been a) Hire a lot of out of work, B grade actors, b) Get someone in High School to write the script and c) produce it as cheaply as possible. Just could not warm to the concept or the story. The poor quality script isn't helped by terrible acting.

tryers

[ops-52535 · 4/10 · 6 August 2019]

This is a film for the lovers of weird narratived stories and plots, its not for me but maybe for you. if some more reviewers could elaborate some more....

Impossible plot

[cjstanford-65097 · 4/10 · 6 August 2021]

The plot is evident in the first 10 minutes, "Who was this man before he lost his memory" and how awful will be his efforts in discovery the truth. Like all these "lost identity" stories the protagonist gets to the end of his journey, but the ultimate story is SO stupid! There would have been dozens of better, cheaper, less illegal and valid ways for the "villains" to have achieved their goals. In fact, it's almost as if the "villains" brainstormed to find the most improbable plan with the most risk and lowest return.

Indy Gem

[timothyfoia · 8/10 · 10 August 2019]

Great independent film that feels and looks amazing. Good music , excellent pacing , intriguing plot and good acting. Plenty of thought provoking content to keep a conversation going long after the movie is over. If you like Cerebral Thrillers with twist and turns this is for you. Hope to see more films like this in the near future.

Terrible movie!

[davidcoble11 · 1/10 · 11 October 2020]

I can generally find something I like about most movies I see, this movie had nothing I could put in the pros list. DOE has no redeeming qualities and should never have been green lighted. I'm pretty sure a freshman at an uncredited film school could come up with a better story.

This storyline has been done before a lot better.

[Carol_R · 3/10 · 13 August 2021]

This storyline was much better done in Babylon 5, Season 3, episode 4, "Passing Through Gethsemane". I guess I don't see John as a victim or a sympathetic character. Some good acting but a bad ending because at the end the movie missed the entire point of the storyline.

Must watch!!

[mikeymikes-67012 · 8/10 · 27 September 2020]

Great movie! Definitely a gotta watch film! Keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time!

Great Concept!

[mikedawnirish · 8/10 · 7 August 2019]

Loved this film for its originality of concept and script. The direction was unique in the way it handled any hint of violence. Good, strong actors. Highly recommended over most new films I've rented. I didn't feel cheated by this film. Watch it soon!

Less is so much more

[jazzstyle · 10/10 · 18 February 2023]

As a writer myself, my first hat's off are to Landon Reagan, for having the idea for the story, then Justin and Timothy Foia for so craftily putting it on the pages. From then on, it's everyone, director to prop master, to the guys who set up gear and clean up after craft services. In music, we can feel when we all come together; what we call a tight set or being in the pocket. It's magic when it all falls together. That's what I felt in this film; every second of every frame was absolutely necessary. I didn't find one moment when I thought a judicious bit of editing could have helped. Add an interesting story, stellar acting, excellent production values, and a script that asks more questions than it tells us, and I'm in for the ride. Finally, there's the underlying theme of the film, which I think is really worth considering. It's in the script. Do you really want to know? Once the clapper hits that bell frame, you can't unring it. It's a question worth exploring, and I think it was addressed and answered in an intelligent and meaningful way in this film.