The Gift

Ein solider Anfang von einem psychologischen Drama, das durch die scheinbar schockierende Pointe am Ende auf das Niveau eines gewöhnlichen Genre-Films herabgesetzt wird. So eine geschickte Arbeit mit der Psychologie der Figuren würde bei einer minimalistischeren Auffassung (die Zuschauer*innen nicht unterschätzen und sie nur mit einer beunruhigenden Andeutung schockieren) aus dem Film ein stärkeres und einzigartigeres Werk machen. (22.09.2015)

A nice little present, though Hřebejk tackled a very similar theme with much more effect and grace in Honeymoon. I can't fault the film in terms of craftsmanship, and I give it a thumbs up for that one brilliant jump-scare, but the ending didn't make my jaw drop, it simply fizzled out. A good debut nonetheless, Joel Edgerton. (10.04.2016)

What the advertising sold as a run-of-the-mill stalker thriller it’s actually an ambitious and smart psychological drama with only hints of the genre elements of thriller and horror (the film probably has the ugliest jump scare of the year). Even after the end, the film is a fable with lots of empty spaces that could be easily filled with fairly different versions of the events, which makes for post-viewing debates. Certainly, a surprise from first-time director Joel Egerton, I hope he’ll get back behind the cameras soon. (06.09.2015)

I have to say that I like Joel Edgerton more and more. And he is going so far that apart from acting, he tries his luck in the role of a director, and as a director, he has completely won me over with the movie The Gift. A thriller which is suspenseful from the beginning until the end and at the same time it references the best movies from the genre and on top of that, it is completely believable and realistic. There is nothing too over the top, as movies often are. And on top of that, the finale sets off in such a way that the viewer cannot even afford to blink so that they wouldn’t lose a minute of suspense. Good job Joel! (17.05.2016)

Joel Edgerton has made a smarter film than could have been expected. Great psychology and plasticity of characters, excellent situational scenes and fantastic actors without exception. Pity about the literal twist, which is impressive but still too explicit. Had it been more open and just hinted at, it could have been one of the highlights of the year, as the subliminally unsettling tension of something evil and unspoken is felt even through the screen. (12.12.2015)

Well written, even better directed. Edgerton not only handles the psychology to a tee, but also delivers an interestingly conceived and compact story, with effective emotional atmosphere and content structure, with the dirt from the past being revealed bit by bit and the relationship between the central trio of characters growing in intensity until the impressive depressing finale. Overall, we have no one to root for and the ending doesn't knock us back in our seats as much as probably intended, but these are only minor flaws in the beauty of this refreshingly cinematic debut... 80% (18.11.2015)

Es ist nicht der klassischste Thriller, vom Genre her würde ich The Gift vor allem als psychologisches Drama mit Elementen eines Thrillers bezeichnen. In der zweiten Hälfte konnte ich mir nicht mehr helfen und musste immer an Hřebejks Honeymoon und ihre wesentliche Botschaft denken, die ich auch mitnehme, nachdem ich The Gift gesehen habe - auch wenn Sie mit jemandem x Jahre zusammenleben, wissen Sie doch nicht zu einhundert Prozent, wer der andere ist und wozu er fähig ist. Ein Lob für Edgerton, Regie, Drehbuch und eine der Hauptrollen, das ist nicht einfach. (22.08.2015)

Well-constructed story that relies on the fact that it's not clear who the asshole is, and who is not throughout the whole time. And even at the end, it still holds true. Good progression, which doesn't go to extremes, but mainly a successful psychological game that shows Edgerton's talent in multiple ways. Just looking at him will give you chills, and not to mention the surprisingly good performance by Bateman. (09.11.2015)

Joel Edgerton certainly isn't a bad director at all, as he managed to make his feature debut almost an A plus. The problem is the denouement of the story, which is a dusty copy of several other films, as others have mentioned here. But I applaud the atmosphere, the performances, and the occasionally solid suspense. Overall, it's kind of an average 3 stars. (02.12.2019)