Reviewing and rating this movie isn't straightforward. On the one hand, it's a noble attempt at reformulating the tried and tested high concept single location sci-fi mystery (think Cube, or Circle). On the other hand, it's a jumbled mess of ideas that ultimately lead to an underwhelming and disappointint conclusion. What compelled me to write this review is the need to inject a balanced view amid the overly harsh 1* reviews, and the utterly ridiculous 10* review that I can only assume was written by someone involved with making the movie. It's not terrible - I was intrigued enough to watch the whole thing, and only started to get bored in the final stretch of the 3rd act. Equally, it's not great. But honestly, I applaud the attempt. Here's hoping the director learns from this and comes back with a stronger script for his next feature.
The Abandon
2022
Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller
The Abandon
2022
Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller
92%
TOMATOMETER
· 13 reviews
86%
AUDIENCE
· 100 ratings
4.8/10
2.3K
Plot summary
Injured U.S. soldier Miles Willis awakens to discover he is trapped in a mysterious cube armed only with his combat gear. As Miles begins to question his sanity, he finds a lifeline – a voice on the other end of his satellite phone who claims to be a prisoner in a similar space. As the walls close in, these two strangers must put their heads together if they are to outwit their captors and unlock this deadly puzzle.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
July 30, 2024 at 06:26 PM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
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Movie Reviews
An intriguing if flawed sci-fi pickle
Eye candy.
Okay, so yeah, I watched the whole thing because Jonathan Rosenthal was pretty to look at. But the movie is highly derivative and highly claustrophobic. And it doesn't have enough cleverness to sustain its minimalist setting without long stretches of me shouting "get on with it!"
Once the mystery is resolved, it is a matter of thinking to yourself - "oh, yeah, that was one of the possibilities I thought of while having plenty of time to think while watching this." So it is not really a twist or even a surprise.
The filmmakers get a C for effort. And the lead actor gets a YOWZA for his presence. That averages to a middle of the road movie.
Great actor, not so great movie
The concept is definetly interesting, and the main actor is incredible with it's expressions. The writting is enough to keep someone entertained, but not to satisfy.
On top of this, the set is always the same. After a bit of the movie, you realize it really is everything the movie has to offer. Some dialogue, some small setbacks, a problem and a guy stuck in a cube. Nothing more.
If you're an enthusiast of action or science fiction movies, this is definetly not for you. The initial scene is a trap that makes you think the movie is going to be loaded with war scenes, and the ending is as underwhelming and expected as it can be. You will most likely finish this movie disappointed.