The Beguiled — A tense situation with no clear escape

Spoiler-free review.

The central tension hinges on a group of women in a remote Southern setting, isolated and uneasy. Despite the potential for drama, the characters' motivations remain underdeveloped and inconsistent. The film's dialogue often feels artificial, lacking the natural rhythm needed to sustain the story's stakes.

Sofia Coppola's direction focuses on the atmosphere rather than pushing the story forward. Some emotional moments feel left hanging, and the pacing is all over the place—some scenes are slow, others rush to endings that don't feel satisfying. The setting is there, but it doesn't really play a role in the story like it could have.

Colin Farrell's performance is restrained but does little to elevate the material around him. Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst bring gravitas, but their roles are underwritten and lack clear direction. Elle Fanning and the younger cast members are given little to work with beyond surface-level tension.

The film tries to mix thriller and romance but doesn't fully commit to either. It leans on its look rather than its story, which makes it feel more like a mood than a full movie. The setting is nice, but the emotions don't really connect with the audience, leaving the characters' fates feeling distant.

2017 · English. Film details · Poster source · Artwork © its respective rights holders.

— Desly