The Image of You

I was looking for a new movie to watch and didn't have much time, which is when I stumbled across The Image of You. Seeing that it is a mere ninety minutes, with a few recognizable TV show actors, I decided to put it on completely blind. At first, the movie seemed very campy. The dialogue was awkward, and the story felt forced. Nothing of substance occurred until the end of the film, where so much happened that it felt super chaotic. To pile on, Zoe is one of the most unlikable characters I have ever seen in film, and Nick is irredeemably heartless and dumb. At times, it was hard to watch. However, I pretty quickly stopped taking it so seriously and began to actually enjoy it a little bit. I was able to have fun watching the big twist, and laughing at the scenes that were outlandish. Overall, this was a pretty bad movie by all means, but it could be somewhat of a fun watch if you indulge in the campiness.

Okay, this isn't my normal go-to type of movie, but a friend got me to watch it. And I do LOVE movies in general esp old movies from the seventies and before and there was so much style and movement and beauty to this film that it reminded me of movies from the past while definitely still being super modern and fast-paced. Also all the beautiful people in the film didn't hurt to look at. I thought the lead actress was INSANELY good. No spoilers but she did a helluva job. And Mira Sorvino and husband were epic. If you like thrillers and twisty movies or movies from an era gone by, check it out!

Sasha Pieterse and Parker Young are incredible in this thriller from director, Jeff Fisher. Expect twists, turns, and thrills from "The Image of You."

The cinematography and lighting are highly evocative of Hitchcock's mid-century work. The clever use of shadow in adding a certain layer of mystique to the character of Zoe is masterfully played.

The film's use of montage through splitscreens and wipes is also something that has not been utilized in Hollywood in quite some time (the "Ocean's" remakes are the most recent examples that come to mind). Fisher clearly wears his influences on his sleeve, and it is an absolute pleasure seeing this adaptation of Adele Parks' novel come to life.

The Image of You is a psychological thriller that explores the complex dynamics of identical twins, Anna and Zoe, as they navigate love, trust, and deception. Directed by Jeff Fisher and based on Adele Parks' novel, the film is ambitious in its attempt to blend suspense with emotional depth, though it ultimately doesn't fully reach its potential.

The performances, especially by Sasha Pieterse, who plays both Anna and Zoe, are one of the film's standout features. Pieterse skillfully captures the contrasting personalities of the two characters-Anna, the trusting romantic, and Zoe, the skeptical, protective twin. This dual role allows Pieterse to showcase her range, bringing emotional weight to the narrative, even if the script doesn't always support the depth of her performance.

Visually, the film makes some bold choices, including the frequent use of split screens to emphasize the differences between the twins' worlds. While this stylistic choice initially feels fresh, it eventually becomes more of a distraction than an enhancement, adding a layer of visual flair that doesn't necessarily serve the story. The cinematography is solid, with some striking moments that elevate the otherwise predictable plot, but it isn't enough to carry the film across the finish line.

The plot, while intriguing at first, ultimately falls into familiar thriller tropes. Anna's romantic involvement with the charming yet mysterious Nick, played by Parker Young, sets up the suspense, but the film never quite delves into the psychological tension it promises. Zoe's investigation into Nick's past could have offered more depth, but instead, the storyline feels like it's going through the motions without adding much complexity. The pacing also feels uneven, dragging in certain places while rushing through key revelations.

Despite its weaknesses, The Image of You does offer some thrills, particularly in its final act, where the tension heightens and some well-timed twists emerge. However, these moments aren't enough to offset the film's more formulaic aspects.

In the end, The Image of You is a film that has potential but doesn't quite live up to it. It's a fine choice for fans of psychological thrillers looking for something to pass the time, but it's unlikely to leave a lasting impression. With stronger writing and more compelling character development, it could have been much more than just another predictable thriller.

Pros:

-Strong performance from Sasha Pieterse, particularly in playing both twins.

-Visually engaging cinematography, with some interesting stylistic choices.

Cons:

-Predictable plot that doesn't fully explore its psychological themes.

-Pacing issues and uneven narrative flow.

-Split screen technique becomes more distracting than effective.

I'm Rae Serbeck, I Watch and Review all films Large and Small!

So I was winding down father's day with my 2 - 18 year old twin boys and my 15 year old daughter. Just as we were all about to say goodnight and I was ready to return to my home, my daughter said "dad, let's watch a movie together an we can make it an annual tradition. While I was exhausted and ready to head back home, I certainly wasn't going to pass on this very sweet invitation from my daughter and the start of a father's day tradition, so we settled into the family room of her mom's home and we searched for a movie that neither one of us had scene.

We stumbled onto The Image of You and wow what a way to start our tradition!!!!

Captivating, invigorating and even mesmerizing from the word go. We found ourselves sitting on the edge of our seats, passing on the snacks because we didn't want to miss a word and desperately trying to figure out where it was all going to land, something we both failed to do.

In addition to both disturbing but fascinating storyline, and well told, the movie's director kept a very high energy and excitement throughout the entire movie, using music, interesting split and quad screen shots that made the picture feel ALIVE!!!

So from a 62 year old man that was exhausted and an equally tired 15 year old girl - thank you thank you thank you - This movie made the start of our tradition a most memorable one!!!!