This movie came out of nowhere. And I really had no expectations. I was a bit apprehensive when I saw Helen Hunt's name in the cast. But honestly, her expressionless face works in selling her part in a very complex story. A story that even if you think you got at the end, I will tell you the movie's even bigger secret up front:
It was no accident or coincidence that Alec was in that house. You see, right when the movie turns from what you think is a supernatural thriller into the actual story, Mindy literally tells you that Alec, who is from the town while she is not, picked the house. Why this house? Because he knows who lives there. And the resurgence in the kidnappings has triggered his memories. We know from the end that he was one of the two earlier victims who escaped the man in the "house in the trees". We also know that the experience really traumatized the other boy. Watch Greg's reaction during that scene. On the second viewing, it becomes something entirely different. And then we are cleverly led away from the subplot of the two surviving boys which helps set up the ending.
Also on a subsequent viewing, you understand Alec's motivation for what he is doing inside the house. We know the initial kidnapping really messed up Tommy so it is not that unbelievable that Alec has become also equally unhinged. And this explains why Alec stalks Greg in the house. He watches him obsessively. He trashes his photos. He literally marks Greg in his bed. Alec is out for revenge by mentally and physically torturing his childhood kidnapper. It is also very likely he is in the house looking for evidence like the pocketknives.
During the climax when Greg tries to explain his criminal reasoning, he is so readily dismissed by Alec because Greg and Alec have already been acquainted for 15 years. Alec is there on a mission and has no need to empathize with the monster who ruined his innocence and youth. And then Alec as he lies wounded on the kitchen floor gives us the signal that he knows and remembers the other detective who alone interviewed him and Tommy all those years ago by calling out Det. Spitzky's name.
And then the flashback ending that we were teased about and made to forget finally reveals itself. And while we already know that Greg is the villain of this story, we learn ultimately who Alec really is.
But what triggered Greg's return to child abduction that in turn triggered Alec's revenge? Well, it is highly likely that Jackie's infidelity leading to Greg's feelings of masculine inadequacy and Connor's rebellion pushed him. He briefly tries to blame some events of his youth before Alec shoots him. Neglect, abuse, divorce, even the enuresis - hallmarks of a serial abductor/killer in training.
This movie is so very well-constructed and layered. It really is quite something. Beautifully plotted, shot, acted. It is far deeper than it seems. Well-done indeed.
It was no accident or coincidence that Alec was in that house. You see, right when the movie turns from what you think is a supernatural thriller into the actual story, Mindy literally tells you that Alec, who is from the town while she is not, picked the house. Why this house? Because he knows who lives there. And the resurgence in the kidnappings has triggered his memories. We know from the end that he was one of the two earlier victims who escaped the man in the "house in the trees". We also know that the experience really traumatized the other boy. Watch Greg's reaction during that scene. On the second viewing, it becomes something entirely different. And then we are cleverly led away from the subplot of the two surviving boys which helps set up the ending.
Also on a subsequent viewing, you understand Alec's motivation for what he is doing inside the house. We know the initial kidnapping really messed up Tommy so it is not that unbelievable that Alec has become also equally unhinged. And this explains why Alec stalks Greg in the house. He watches him obsessively. He trashes his photos. He literally marks Greg in his bed. Alec is out for revenge by mentally and physically torturing his childhood kidnapper. It is also very likely he is in the house looking for evidence like the pocketknives.
During the climax when Greg tries to explain his criminal reasoning, he is so readily dismissed by Alec because Greg and Alec have already been acquainted for 15 years. Alec is there on a mission and has no need to empathize with the monster who ruined his innocence and youth. And then Alec as he lies wounded on the kitchen floor gives us the signal that he knows and remembers the other detective who alone interviewed him and Tommy all those years ago by calling out Det. Spitzky's name.
And then the flashback ending that we were teased about and made to forget finally reveals itself. And while we already know that Greg is the villain of this story, we learn ultimately who Alec really is.
But what triggered Greg's return to child abduction that in turn triggered Alec's revenge? Well, it is highly likely that Jackie's infidelity leading to Greg's feelings of masculine inadequacy and Connor's rebellion pushed him. He briefly tries to blame some events of his youth before Alec shoots him. Neglect, abuse, divorce, even the enuresis - hallmarks of a serial abductor/killer in training.
This movie is so very well-constructed and layered. It really is quite something. Beautifully plotted, shot, acted. It is far deeper than it seems. Well-done indeed.