The Gift Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

Bullies can leave emotional or physical wounds; some of the victims might forget their harassment, while others might not forgive that easily. The Gift is a deep psychological thriller that touches upon that subject.

Genre: Mystery / Thriller

Director: Joel Edgerton

Cast: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Allison Tolman, Tim Griffin, Wendell Pierce, Beau Knapp, Katie Aselton, Adam Lazarre-White & David Denman.

Runtime: 108 min.

US Release: 07 August 2015

UK Release: 07 August 2015

German Release: 26 November 2015

Joel Edgerton’s The Gift was released in the US and UK in early August, but here in Germany it only hit cinemas on November 26, nearly four months later. I had already heard positive things about the movie and was looking forward to seeing it, but even so, I wasn’t prepared for how good it actually is.

Most reviewers and film critics praised The Gift highly, commending almost every element of the film, from its performances and direction to its tone and screenplay. While I knew Edgerton both directed and starred in it, I had no idea he also wrote the script. That discovery made me even more impressed by the quality of the final product.

I say this because most people who try to write, direct, and star in their own films end up overreaching and sabotaging their work. The Gift, however, benefits immensely from Joel Edgerton’s experience as an actor and his emerging talent as both a writer and director.

The story revolves around a married couple, Simon and Robyn (Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall), who move from Chicago to the suburbs of a Californian city, not far from Simon’s hometown. By chance, Simon runs into Gordon (Joel Edgerton), an old acquaintance from school, and from that moment on, their quiet, organised life begins to unravel. What starts as a series of friendly gestures from Gordon soon turns into something far more sinister.

Edgerton’s script is close to fantastic. The deliberate pacing gives the story time to breathe and build tension naturally, and I really appreciated how much effort was put into developing the characters. Everyone in this film is hiding something (each person has their own secrets), and that complexity keeps the audience guessing.

Edgerton also proves that he has a true talent for the psychological thriller genre. What begins as a familiar premise quickly becomes something unpredictable and deeply unsettling.

If I have one complaint, it’s that the creep factor is dialled up a little too early. From the very first moment Gordon appears on screen, the tension is already at its peak. A slower, more gradual buildup might have made his character’s menace even more effective. As it stands, the first half of the film can feel genuinely uncomfortable to watch, and I mean that both as praise and mild criticism.

The performances are outstanding. This film is full of damaged people; no one is entirely whole, and even the supporting characters seem haunted by their own flaws. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, reminding me a tad of the writing in this year’s cerebral sci-fi film Ex Machina.

Joel Edgerton gives a terrific, understated performance as Gordon. He’s socially awkward, deeply scarred, and carries the weight of his past pain. Most of his acting is done through subtle body language and those haunting eyes. He barely needs to speak to communicate his trauma.

Jason Bateman, however, is the real revelation here. This is the first time I’ve truly seen him act outside of his usual comedic comfort zone, and he completely owns every scene he’s in. His transformation from charming husband to something darker is both surprising and chilling.

Rebecca Hall also delivers an excellent performance. Beneath Robyn’s polite, friendly exterior lies a deep well of sadness and anxiety. Hall conveys that through her eyes, making the character feel layered and realistic.

The film is stunning visually. Edgerton and cinematographer Eduard Grau use muted yet striking colours, deliberate camera movements, and beautifully composed shots to heighten the suspense. The slow, creeping camerawork and the eerie stillness of empty hallways amplify the tension perfectly.

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Verdict: The Gift is a gripping psychological thriller, elevated by fantastic performances from Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, and Joel Edgerton. The script is clever, the pacing is deliberate, and the cinematography enhances every uneasy moment. If you haven’t seen The Gift yet, I highly recommend catching it in cinemas or Blu-ray once it’s released. I give Joel Edgerton’s impressive directorial debut an 8.0 out of 10.

Have you seen The Gift yet? If so, what did you think? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts.