The Wasp

Spanish director Guillem Morales delivers an intense thriller that pleasantly surprises with its interpretive strength. It is one of those rare feature films that exudes its theatrical origin from the beginning, but remains absolutely cinematic in every sense.

As we enter into the story proposed by screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, who adapts her own play, obtaining a film that constantly surprises you with the force with which it explores past traumas and desperation so that as spectators we fall into a game of mental duels that bring out the best in its two performers. Both main characters feel trapped like the eloquent metaphors with which their director gives us clues in its powerful beginning.

Both Naomi Harris and Natalie Dormer enter into a duel of characters with intense monologues and all the expressive talent of two great actresses who absolutely take over the film and make you have great moments of resentment, sorrow and madness. All stimulated by the talent of the Spanish director who manages to make his debut in English with all the intelligence and wisdom of a director who knows how to handle suspense with absolute greatness. If we take into account his previous works, it is a sure bet for the film to be as efficient as it is, and to have a great director behind it.

The Spanish director's direction takes us on a journey full of tension and suspense, with the particularity of having some wild and attractive twists, with a disturbing and dramatic piece that contains a lot in its 96 minutes and that remains in the memory beyond its final credits.

A surprising and distressing ending with a masterful handling of atmosphere, tension and details make this a great film that is worth giving your time to and enjoying as one of those little gems that always come to surprise us with satisfaction.

No pun intended - the movie has some strong and stellar main performances! It also has some strong and not easy to watch scenes - for a thriller it does quite a lot right ... on the other hand it also relies heavily on chance, convenient timing and luck ... not to mention certain things that do not make sense at all .. or rather should void the plan in and of itself.

If you've seen the movie you understand what I mean - if not you may scratch your head while you are watching this. I reckon memory can be strange - we do forget things from our childhood ... on the other hand those things are touched upon ... and it doesn't seem to gel ... so it suspension of disbelief is quite high ... this really bets on the viewers not caring too much about logic ... and just being entertained by the story and the twists that come along the way ... what will it be for you then? Don't hold it in for too long.

This film is based off a play. That's why it may be moving slow at times, it may feel brainy, and intellectual.

Behind it, there is a great analysis on psychological scarring, social abuse, and perpetuating said abuse, in cycles that for some individuals seem inescapable.

Very well acted. Natile Dorman is a chameleon on her choice of roles and show her amazing range. But the same should be said about Naomi Harris. Both dig deep and bring forth a balance range of acting chops that should get them some award considerations.

The film is so full of human and social commentaries that I can see it being shown in Universities and even Senior courses in some high-schools, to elicit conversations about the topics dwells in.

I hope it gets a bit more love in the ratings with the passing of time.

Follows Heather (Naomie Harris) and Carla (Natalie Dormer), after being childhood schoolfriends, meet after not having spoken in years. Heather has done well in life, while Carla has a gambler for a husband, 4 kids and struggles to make ends meet. Heather makes contact with Carla and has a surprising proposition to put to her that could change their lives forever.

Harris and Dormer are the two main actors in this taut thriller, and they do very well too. I've never actually seen Dormer act in anything (I never watched GOT) but she carried this role really well and was totally believeable as Carla. It's got lot's of tension, lots of unanswered questions along the way, lot's of misinterpretations by the viewer and a few twists to boot. All in all it has the ingredients of a good film and while the directing and cinemaphotography are not ground breaking or outstanding, they're both more than equal to the task. Unusually for me I sat and watched from start to finish without a break and never once felt bored. There was some interesting and thought provoking questions raised too, about revenge, guilt, forgiveness and shame, and it made me think of my childhood and how it affects my adult life. I absolutely loved the ending, even though it was totally unexpected. Overall a great thriller with fine performances and I give it a solid 7.

In dark Bath-based British dramatic-thriller "The Wasp" middle-class Naomie Harris is stuck in a loveless marriage to douchey Dominic Allburn, so reaches out to pregnant old school-bully 'friend' Natalie Dormer with an indecent proposal... but as the two discuss details etc together, it becomes apparent that all ain't what it seems. For his debut screenplay Morgan Lloyd Malcolm adapted his own play (it has the clear feel of being based on a play) which Guillem Morales brings modestly home (with its various flaws) as his first English-language film as director. It's original, and decently engaging, though it lacks the strong stinging edge that woulda made it great.