Bandola, Hannah

BSLM-4

THE GUILTY MOVIE

REFLECTION

Sometimes all you need after a horribly stressful week at work or a depressing Covid-19
confinement, for that matter is a straightforward thriller tense enough to keep you on the edge of
your chair. It doesn't necessarily have to be highly original, innovative or super-intelligent, it
simply has to offer good action and adrenaline rushes. “The Guilty” movie somewhat warmly
fulfill what I seek.

“The Guilty” is a 2021 American crime thriller released in Netflix film directed and produced by
Antoine Fuqua having Jake Gyllenhaal (Joe Baylor) as the main character.
This film is all in line with a 911 operator Joe Baylor’s race against time As Joe Baylor answers
an emergency call from a woman, who, using code, insinuates she has been kidnapped by her ex-
husband and is now driving her in a van to an unknown destination. When the call is suddenly
disconnected, Joe Baylor’s jittery and breathless tried his best to find the woman and her
kidnapper. He utilized all his detective skills, using the phone as his only tool. Soon he realizes
that he is dealing with a crime that is far bigger than he first thought and at the same time shows
how the operator is a bit unhinged from the stress of his chosen occupation and adds up some
court issues going on his life.

This movie for me is one of those thrillers that get started right away, and never stops. There is
so much urgency, thrill and suspense throughout the film, that it kept me specially on the first
forty five minutes utterly gripped and on the edge of my seat, it was exactly what you want from
a thriller. Though some part becomes a more bog standard thriller, dare I say it, make you
question the setting.

It is a bore for some parts and it’s somewhat hard to stand at how the character gets way too
much screen time since it is all listening to a sound recording of a real 911 call. But the plot is
clever, with Joe teaching the abducted woman many tricks to try to escape. Of course, she does
not succeed because she keeps on hanging up, hence the story goes on. The images, and actually
just the idea of it is revolting, and this effect is amplified by the fact that I got so absorbed into
the plot and want to end it right off at the same time. That’s exactly why it’s amazing. The film
becomes a battle of wits of sorts. Cause all the main character had to do was talk in order to
show emotion.

Every tense moment plays out on Gyllenhaal’s face, as he spars with a dynamic ensemble of
voices in his headset, including those drama with a montage of monitors broadcasting the
apocalyptic inferno outside; a surreal, but all too familiar reflection of our mad world. And the
psychological thriller took me on an intense journey without physically leaving the
claustrophobic environment of a police call centre. It makes me realized how stressful
emergency operators can get, which is something I don't really think about.
Initially I was just gripped by the suspense, but later I started reflecting on the fact that it felt like
I had seen images of what was being described. The fact that every person listening to the same
clip would see different images was extremely fascinating to me.

Though it is a movie that it has all been done before and done better which the story revolves and
is about an usual officer trying to help a victim psychopath. But on the other thought, it is a great
little thriller. It moves along well. I was surprised to see that THE GUILTY, is a not so
predictable Hollywood kidnap thriller. Since the story is logical.

Not the usual exciting, suspenseful, and thrilling movie that towards the end becomes more like a
horror film and is somewhat of a let-down. Yet during the film and by watching it, I do not only
learn some incredible techniques to use when in danger, but also learned how a 911 operator
works and under what conditions. Also, I watched it and it proves cops are human and they
makes mistakes too. It’s not often in real life we see admitting to their mistakes. They be so
quick to cover for each other.

I don't want to give away the end, but though I loved this film and thought everyone was terrific,
the ending deviates from the realism that has been set up previously.
You can rest assured the suspense and pace is kept at maximum level. And, finally, the plot is
simple yet effective and identifiable enough to make you feel terrified and think about this
happening to your own loved ones and environment.

The role provides a good fit for the character, Joe Baylor’s alternately controlled and
emotionally-fragile persona; he's likable and has instant audience empathy. Unfortunately, it's
about this point in the picture where character study is ultimately tossed out in favor of suspense.
As Joe becomes involved and the main THE GUILTY after all.

I do love watching this movie and I take chances to recommend "The Guilty”, as it is for sure
worth to watch.