You Picked the Wrong One

I had the honor of meeting this young man and I think he is on his way to becoming a great actor. This movie had a familiar plot and was well edited. Usually in non mainstream movies the acting is bad. But they did a good job in this one. The female lead made you believe her character. The kidnappers also made you want to smack them for their stupidity. And the male lead character played his role to the tee as well. I loved the part when the woman.....did you actually think I was going to spoil the movie for you ha NOT! I am looking forward to seeing these actors and especially Zeke in the future.

This is one of those thrillers where you can just feel the tension in every scene. Venus King isn't just smart-she's dangerous in the best way. When she's kidnapped, her captors think they're in control, but she quickly proves she's the real threat. Mr. Black, the leader of the kidnappers, is no fool-he's intense and calculated, making for a worthy opponent. But Venus is always a step ahead, turning the situation in her favor with pure intelligence. No over-the-top action, just sharp writing and a battle of wills that keeps you hooked until the very end. I feel Lauryn Ford is a new star in the making.....I'm going to check out her other films!!

1. "Power Shifts and Mind Games Galore" "This film is a masterclass in tension and psychological manipulation. It starts with a kidnapping-a scenario we've seen in countless thrillers-but what sets it apart is how quickly the power dynamics shift. Venus King isn't your typical victim. She's a strategist, always thinking several moves ahead, turning her captors into pawns in her game. The film thrives on these shifts in control, where the line between predator and prey blurs. Mr. Black, the enigmatic leader of the kidnappers, is no fool. He's ruthless, calculated, and believes he's in control-until Venus begins to unravel his carefully laid plans. Their interactions are electric, filled with subtle manipulations, psychological warfare, and unexpected alliances. Every scene is charged with tension, as you watch Venus manipulate not just her captors but the entire situation. The film challenges the traditional power dynamics we expect in thrillers, proving that true strength comes from intelligence, not brute force. It's a riveting, thought-provoking ride."

Delivering a sharp and satisfying twist on the crime thriller genre, director and screenwriter Dwayne Alexander Smith plays an intricate mind game with the viewer in which the tables are constantly turning.

When kidnapped Venus King (Ford), the wife of shadowy underworld crime boss Damon King (Gaston), finds herself handcuffed to a chair in a darkened room, in the middle of nowhere, it doesn't stop her from turning greed and paranoia against her three abductors (Whitfield, Hoffman, Ross). What a fun ride watching Venus play with the kidnappers' heads.

Kudos to everyone involved. The visual handiwork and clever writing shows me that Smith's artistic bag of tricks is indeed impressively stocked.

As a filmmaker, I respect a tight, well-executed thriller, and You Picked the Wrong One delivers exactly that. Venus King is sharp, ruthless, and always in control-watching her outmaneuver her captors is pure suspense. Mr. Black is a strong antagonist, and their battle of wits keeps the tension high. For a low-budget film, the storytelling is solid, and the direction makes the most of every scene. My only gripe? I wish Venus had a little more warmth or vulnerability to make her easier to root for. That said, it's still a well-crafted, engaging thriller that does a lot with what it has. Totally worth the watch!