You Can't Run Forever

It's a thriller/horror with a psycho (J. K. Simmons) on the loose. A girl gets into his crosshairs and she is the other main character. The story is simple, there is violence and one pretty disturbing scene where not everything is shown but made me kinda sick.

I assume J. K. Simmons is in this due to his wife being the writer/director, he is obviously a notch above other actors.

There is a subplot involving dealing with trauma but the movie doesn't explore it too deeply.

The refreshing part is that the police are incompetent and cowardly just like in real life, instead of the usual glorification.

You Can't Run Forever" embarks on a cinematic journey that is as ambitious as it is flawed. The film, directed by Michelle Schumacher, attempts to weave a tale of suspense and survival, yet falls short in execution. The film's saving grace lies in the performance of J. K. Simmons, whose portrayal of the antagonist is both magnetic and menacing. His ability to pivot from an average suburban neighbor to a lunatic with a malevolent smile is commendable. The opening sequence sets a promising stage, with Simmons' character, Wade, displaying a chillingly casual approach to violence that could have been the cornerstone of a gripping thriller. This suffers from a lack of tension and a flat direction that leaves much to be desired. The narrative struggles with tonal inconsistencies, failing to maintain the suspense necessary for a thriller of this nature. The film's pacing is erratic, and the character development is insufficient, rendering the storyline predictable and uninspired. The supporting cast, while competent, is given little material to work with, resulting in performances that feel disconnected from the film's core. The script, co-written by Schumacher and Carolyn Carpenter, misses opportunities to delve deeper into the characters' psyches, opting instead for surface-level interactions that undermine the potential intensity of the plot.

In conclusion, This is a film that had the potential to be a compelling thriller but is ultimately let down by its execution. While it may offer a glimpse of J. K. Simmons' undeniable talent, the rest of the film fails to match his prowess, leading to a viewing experience that is, regrettably, forgettable.

Like others I was lured by the fact J K Simmons is one of the main characters and then I started watching and the nice Irish chap from downton Abbey was also in it, great, good start. Then the good turned into bad pretty quickly. Cue the obnoxious moody teenager that can't act. Empathy for the teenager doesn't even begin. She wanders through the woods acting like she is on acid. She listens to music on her phone and doesn't even think about the battery, surprise ! It gets low. She is not bothered about making any noise even though she knows there is a man with a gun wanting to kill her not far behind. At night she not only talks loudly but also turns on her flashlight. To top it off her sisters friends go out in the dark with 4 flashlights looking for her, knowing there's a man with a gun shooting people and not one of them is carrying a gun. The story is basic and the acting is bad. Simmons says 'why do I waste my time' in one scene and I had to agree with him, it's pretty dire.

If it wasn't for J. K. Simmons, this film wouldn't have been made. But thanks to nepotism (the director is Simmons' real life wife), we can now enjoy this fine product and lament almost two hours of our lives we won't get back.

At times competently shot, YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER is a nice borefest of a "thriller" that manages to let you down quite quickly. Starting off mildly intriguing, it loses its grip fast, never to pick it up again. The characters are stupid, infuriatingly so at times, the drama forced and the execution lackluster. In fact, writing and directing go pretty much hand in hand.

And the title seems quite fitting once you see (now elderly) J. K. Simmons running through the woods, as he certainly can't run forever. Oh my.

If you value your time, skip this one. It's nothing but a pretty incompetently told, uninteresting story made by a not-so-talented director who happens to be married to J. J. Jameson's only worthy incarnation.

J. K. Simmons truly is a remarkable actor with notable performances in various roles like Spiderman and Law & Order. In this film, his portrayal was solid, but the depth of his character left much to be desired. The lack of insight into his motivations, the origins of his actions, and the "does it matter" quote left me wanting more. The absence of background on Miranda's father's passing felt like a missed opportunity for emotional depth. Moreover, the mysterious disappearance of the sheriff added to the unresolved elements of the plot. With more development and better casting choices, especially if J. K. Simmons had taken on the sheriff's role, the movie could have unfolded into something truly exceptional.