On the Line (2022) Movie Review
Director: Romuald Boulanger
Language: English
Streaming: Theater
Synopsis:
A host takes a call, where an unknown person threatens to kill the showman’s entire family on air. To save loved ones, the radio host will have to play a survival game and the only way to win is to find out the identity of the criminal.
Review:
I have to say the movie got me hooked the cat and mouse play the psychotic villain that is out for revenge and the plot twisting in
the end got me.
The twist here completely changes the entire experience. The twist here is almost the reverse of the classic “I see dead people” twist, in that it is completely unsatisfying and lets the air out of the movie.
I think the actors did a really good job. Since there aren’t too many people in this movie the few that were in got to have a bit of a flashed-out character, though the focus lies on the main 3 characters: played by Mel Gibson, William Moseley, and Paul Spera.
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Since it all plays in a building at night you can tangibly feel the oppressive atmosphere. The movie itself has its shortcomings, with characters making dumb decisions.
Some of the writing is bad (like someone having to draw straws instead of having to choose to sacrifice a person) and there is a slight drag in the middle. Mel Gibson gives a reliably great performance, as do many of the supporting cast.
I turned off my computer feeling pretty upbeat, which is a rare feat for a violent thriller about a madman holding innocent people hostage.
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On a technical level, photography and color grading are good, which is rare in low-budget films. It won’t give you eye cancer like various newer Liam Neeson or Bruce Willis films. No nasty shaky cam or unnatural color palettes.
Verdict:
Whether I’m happy with the ending or not, it got me hooked and surprised so it is worth a watch
