Flinch (2021) Poster

(2021)

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7/10
Great Gritty Noir Film!
spanoscott24 February 2021
Flinch is the directorial debut film from Cameron Van Hoy, a story about a hitman who falls in love with a girl who witnessed a murder he commits. I always enjoy a good hitman story and this one is a rollercoaster of excitement and tension from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the cast and seeing some big name actors that I haven't seen in a while. Cathy Moriarty does a really great job at playing this crazy yet sympathetic mother and it's always nice to see David Proval again since I remember him from my favorite show of all time, The Sopranos. The film gives off a cool vibe that is somewhere between the the movies "Drive" and "Good Time". The low lighting paired with the fantastic soundtrack from "Miami Nights 1984", gives this feeling of relaxation yet suspense. It's a very cool mix that brings me back to the John Carpenter vibes we used to get from his 80's films.

Another thing I loved about the film is that just when you think it may be a little too slow, it'll hit you with a great moment filled with a lot of tension. Those big twists were some of the best moments from the film, there were various times where my expectations were subverted and I was itching to see how it would all play out. By the end, the story doesn't disappoint as I sat up in my chair at awe from the big shock of the story. One last thing that I want to say that impressed me was the bloodwork and the gun violence. Some really great techniques used and it elevated the film in my opinion.

Overall, Flinch blew away my expectations and I found myself having a really great time with it. It's a gritty noir centered around romance that calls back to some of the great aspects from 80's/90's action movies. Everyone that worked on this should be proud and I can't wait to see what the director and the lead actors do next.
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7/10
Can Tell The Director Was Influenced by Good Time, Drive
Theedg320 January 2021
This is a solid crime that not many people are talking about. Most of you will know the lead actor (Daniel Zovatto) in the film as the dick boyfriend of Rocky in the movie Don't Breathe. The film is also full of strong veteran actors that we all know like Cathy Moriatry, Steven Bauer, David Proval and a little appearance from funnyman Tom Segura. Great to see Buddy Duress again, he stole the show in the movie Good Time in a classic scene, guy deserves more work. Tilda Cobham-Hervey steals the show in this one as Mia.

The film has the smooth electronic 80s tunes that really can pull together scenes, as you can see the director was influenced by cult classic Drive. Can see he was influenced by crazy director Winding-Refn.

It moves at a good pace, does not rush, or seem too slow. Performances are strong across the board, the cast was chosen wisely. Dialogue feels real, not too over the top, the plot is easy to follow with a nice twist you won't see coming a mile away.

If you dig the crime genre, this is one to take a look at. This movie stuck with me for a few days after - which is always a great sign. Also feels like a movie that will get better with multiple views.

Who knew a flick about a hitman who lives with his mother would be so compelling. You will think about the word Flinch differently after seeing this.
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7/10
a true guilty pleasure - don't pass it by
A_Different_Drummer3 February 2021
The really odd thing about this pretty darn good movie is that it actually tries hard to make you uncomfortable and then takes a sharp turn in an expected direction and brings you back. The opening premise -- hit man shows mercy to witness -- is not new, but writer/director Van Hoy really makes it his own. When the hit man picks up the girl like a rag doll and literally "brings her home to mama," you are thinking, boy, is this wrong on so many levels, does the #METOO movement even know about this yet ..? But over the long haul FLINCH succeeds at the single most important thing a film can do. It keeps you from looking away. It keeps you from flinching.
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5/10
Silly concept
billcr125 February 2021
It opens with a man praying in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Joe Doyle is a hitman who lives with his mother, played by the scene stealing Cathy Moriarty. She is extremely proud of his efficiency as a hired killer. Joe kills a man, but is witnessed by the man's personal assistant. THis leads to a completely unbelievable story line with the killer examining his conscience the rest of the film. He keeps the woman in his bedroom with mom insisting that he kill the witness. No need to explain where it all leads, as right up to the ending, it is ridiculous. Don't bother with this stupidity.
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6/10
Not bad
jwilliamson119215 March 2022
I enjoyed this film. It's not perfect by any means, but it wasn't a bad movie at all. Definitely a good late night watch. Looking forward to seeing what's next for this up and coming director.

I will say this though. The soundtrack is a 10/10... phenomenal.
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5/10
A decent directoral debut
misanthr0pist22 February 2021
Mix of emotions with this one. First and foremost, visually and auditory excellence, the neon and synth soundtrack was much appreciated. Writing was pretty solid (though this was expected from a first time director, long time writer). Acting was a little all over the shop but the two leads did a fantastic job. The plot was great, though it fell apart toward the last 30 minutes, and got a tad predictable. All in all though, it didn't ruin the movie. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a bit of action, with a more drama-esque story. Probably not worth a re-watch, but I didn't hate my time with it. A passable directorial debut from a solid scriptwriter.
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7/10
Flinch is GREAT
ozzboom24 March 2021
Flinch is a great throwback to the crime films of old, with the style of the new. All performances were good, noteable performance I thought were buddy duress and Daniel zavatto were great opposites to each other. A healthy dose of action and violence adds a lot to this movie. The score is what really stands out, occasionally coming in at inappropriate times but never so badly that it's distracting. for anyone who loves Drive or Good time this is right up your ally
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2/10
There's not much here
FeastMode16 January 2022
I feel like this movie should be one part of a bigger movie. There isn't enough substance in this story for it's own movie. Not much happens. It's so basic. I was very bored. And it ends up being pretty dumb as well. (1 viewing, 1/15/2022)
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7/10
Average little thriller
georgio-2649016 February 2021
Everything is just "ok" acting, direction, visuals, sound etc etc. Very basic plot, annoyingly boring at times. People saying this film is similar to Leon?? Thats like comparing a big mac to a t-bone steak.
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4/10
Love story of a creep and terrible Dialoges
hochladen200021 February 2021
Dear Filmlovers,

beware because you will find a bad movie here. Acting is sometimes terrible, the characters are nothing new they are copied from a thousand movies and you just find to many film and to oblivious film quotations. The lead actor drops out of character sometimes to often. In one scene you find a renegade the next a mamas boy and the next a creep doing everything for his hostage. BUT SHE DIDN´T FLINCH!!! Thing is it would have been 1000 times more interesting to find a real psychopath momies boy with a hot chick crying in his basement and a hardcore christian mother forbidding it. But how the hell was this constructed?? The mother is a TAROT Card loving women and praying to Jesus also becoming jesus when the son is making rice for his hostage. Sometimes i felt myself that our beloved Movie Creator Tommy Wiseau director of The Room was directing/writing this. Its just bad. Acting, Directing and the Dialog is the worst. Only blessing is the soundtrack and the camera. Pictures were atmospheric for why i give 3 stars and two for acting, directing and writing. Partly good performances were seen from Cobham Hervey and Buddy Duress. Cathy Moriatory was funny and turned the volume of her character up, she really carried the movie.
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9/10
A love child of Drive & Leon The Professional.
ITzJUSTIN6 February 2021
Very simple plot but brilliant execution as we follow a story of a hit man who ends up in an risky situation due to the decisions made after a hit.

The cinematography and score are brilliant as they convey an 80s atmosphere although the movie takes place in present day. Easy story to follow with some twists and turns. Highly recommended!
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7/10
Always loved Michael Drayer and Tom Segura
gaminstevo31 July 2022
Great film, love everything about it. And impressed with the road ahead moving into the Film3 space. Love the tone, Synth Neo Noire, all about the storyline and how it flows.
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5/10
Lets be honest... its a 5
JCinHB17 February 2021
Sorry, but this movie is not an 8, 9 or a 10. Those reviews must be from people that worked on the movie to bump the ratings. BUT, its a good decent movie, a solid 5. Interesting plot overall, a little slow in the middle, could lose 5-10 minutes. I won't give any spoilers, you don't need to hear anymore than its worth watching. Just know, Its more of a character building movie than action flick. I rate starting at a 5 and move up/down from there - and there is no such thing at a 10. This is a solid 5.5
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3/10
Boring and nonsensical story
Leungzy20 February 2021
Most of this movie was very boring. The relationship the main character had with his mother was very strange and is described in the movie as a "Norman Bates" relationship and it couldn't have been more accurate.

The fact that a mother would go along with most of the acts the son was carrying out just made no sense, along with his questionable decision to just hold a witness hostage. The story behind "flinch" as told by him felt cheesy and cheap and also just seemed like nonsense. Some of the action scenes effects felt very cheap too and really made you feel like you were watching a B-movie.

Two good things about this movie though was the 80s esque soundtrack and a really unexpected twist that could have made the movie better if the story had been more realistic or made sense, but for the most part this movie was just boring and the relationships and dialogues were just wooden and uninteresting.
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7/10
Thrills on debut
xkvqhptf31 July 2022
Flinch has an amazing score; The hypnotic synth beats incorporated with the occasional deep bass notes imply a tale of lust and blood. It's a crime/thriller that brings some of 80s' mob and vice aesthetics. The cinematography is decent and the cast delivers some convincing performances.
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1/10
Ironic title for crap movie
carlos-pires8 February 2021
I must confess I didn't bother to go past the main credits. Why? Because this is so bad it only takes 3 minutes to notice, if you're not braindead. One hint for casting directors: if you want a guy to play an assassin, pick one who doesn't close his eyes when he fires the gun... If I was rating the title title of the movie, I would give it 10/10: it's perfect!
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4/10
I met someone.
nogodnomasters9 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Joey Doyle (Daniel Zovatto ) is a hitman for a crime family. He is paying off his father's debt and also making good money. He cares for his mother. In a hit gone bad, there is a witness. Rather than kill her, he ties her up and takes her home. This causes question as everyone knew she was the hit's assistant.

The main characters were interesting, but the script was rather dull with canned characters filling in.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
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5/10
Disappointed
ericmathews22 February 2021
I was disappointed to not like this movie. If you looked at the ingredients, it had all the makings of a top notch modern film noir. I imagine the creator is a big fan of the movie Drive. Unfortunately virtually none of the pieces of this puzzle were put together properly. The story unfolded unnaturally, the characters didn't develop, and the editing was poor. It was a movie where I was audible saying, "oof, I know what you were trying to do here but you just missed the mark." I honestly think if this movie was re-edited it could be top notch but as it is, I would say skip this flick.
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9/10
New twist
crosejimenez8 February 2021
The characters were very developed and the plot was something I wasn't expecting. New twist, loved it.
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3/10
Geeze who wrote this thing
norrisjohn-6911014 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It's a roller coaster ride of corny acting and lame story line, I continued watching the whole thing for Buddy Duress scenes which were pretty good! Sound track 7/10 , just wish more effort was put into the story and lines. Definitely seems like a Highend B film. I made an acc to write this review, not my usually thing but damn I had to, also there where major holes in the girls story and looked for other reviews to reinsure it, but couldn't! She was a cop then why would the uncovers want her dead, then she still goes by her uncover name after everything pssssh?!???
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3/10
No way
danielleduvale16 March 2021
Boring not original and basic. Don't waste your time.
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10/10
Fascinating
tchchs-120 January 2021
Great watch. Glassed this with my bebeh at the drive-in

Acting was solid, story was engaging, cinematography was great. The most impressive performance by the bearded actor, Tim Sugara. He can really pretend like he's on a phone call. You could really feel the machines within his brain working overtime to really keep you glued to the screen.

Only qualm I have with the film is probably the big sloppers (editing mistakes) that I caught here and there. Even with those state droopers (editing mistakes) it still made me come, to tears during some of the more poignant moments.

Here's a list of pros and cons. Pros -Tense scenes, really gripped me -Great sound design -Excellent score.

Cons -I heard Tim tripped during a basketball game. I hope it didn't hamper what could have been an oscar winning performance.
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9/10
FLINCH
anuragvj-510657 February 2021
#FLINCH. I really love this Film. Its Superb and really Stylish. Technically Well made Film cinematography🔥, sound track🔝, performances😍, lighting, sound mixing etc ❤ Defentily Watchable movie
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10/10
Superb
ballesterosfrank3 February 2021
10-10 superb action, cinematography, music/soundtrack, writing /story, characters wonderful pace and experience
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9/10
GREAT MOVIE
willowpillow-3799614 February 2021
VERY GOOD MOVIE. IT KEPT ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. VERY DRAMATIC,DIDN'T KNOW IF HE COULD TRUST HER SO.... DON'T WANT TO SPOIL IT FOR YOU. ALL I CAN SAY IS, GO SEE IT. IT'S TWISTED
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