A flurry of characters and arcs, and it takes a minute to figure out which ones to follow. Quirky personalities, careful color grading, an atonal piano score, and confident pacing make each scene engaging on its own, and the final chase scene is a highlight. Simple, classic, and beautifully shot. But taken as a whole, I’m not sure there’s enough story or dramatic payoff to make it truly special.
The quirkiness of character and place, quiet suspense, and the constant threat of brutality gives it a similar vibe as No Country for Old Men or Anderson’s own There Will Be Blood. The secret society element adds a certain heaviness reminiscent of Eyes Wide Shut.
Very natural performances throughout. DiCaprio is really good at playing paranoid or confused. Penn seems like a slightly odd dude, which is a good foundation for a character as off-kilter as this. Teyana Taylor is spicy good. Newcomer Chase Infiniti holds her own.
Not sure I understand the first scene with Perfidia and Lockjaw. Was this their first encounter? Or did they know each other beforehand?
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