"The Gift," by writer/director/actor Joel Edgerton, is a clever, atmospheric film that has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. In the end, the moral to the story is that karma is a bitch. Edgerton plays with our knowledge of 80s and 90s thrillers and tweaks those expectations in unexpected ways. For example, every time Robyn (Rebecca Hall) is in the shower, we expect something awful to happen. That it doesn't illustrates Egerton's delight in playing with the audience although he provides plenty of jump-out-of-your seat surprises. As Egerton plays Gordo, there's an increasingly eerie mix of earnestness and evil. Justin Bateman's Simon conveys a psyche as convoluted as Gordo's. And Rebecca Hall's Robyn expresses her sadness, her deep unease and finally, her clear understanding. "The Gift" is ultimately about truth and not knowing who people are until they are forced to reveal themselves. And as a Joel Egerton project, it's an impressive production. I didn't think I'd like it, but I do.
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