This is a strange film, but in a good way. Scott Derrickson mixes action, horror and romance in a story that, although it doesn't always quite fit, has some entertaining moments.
Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy play two snipers who must guard a chasm where something dangerous lurks.
As the story progresses, their relationship takes centre stage, adding an emotional layer to the typical survival plot.
The start is promising: the mystery is well constructed, the tension is palpable and Dan Laustsen's cinematography provides a spectacular atmosphere.
The film opts for a more leisurely tone in its first hour, cooking up that love story, but in a solvent way, with well-written characters, and intelligent dialogue that reminds us that this could have been a smash hit if it had fallen into worse hands.
Once the passion is unleashed, the action and terror arrive, in a second hour that is a totally different film. The film wants to be two things at the same time, trying to please all kinds of audiences, and you know what, it doesn't go wrong, because the two parts coexist and work both separately and combined, in a strange production that, without being a marvel, does its job of entertaining, thanks to a cast dedicated to the cause.
The action scenes are well-developed, both in the gun battles and in the hand-to-hand combat, well choreographed and well filmed.
Sigourney Weaver is also a standout, and the script, which was in danger of being stupid, with a crazy idea but which has landed on its feet, stands up for itself thanks to its characters and dialogue.
The soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is a big hit, and there are scenes of tension that are well crafted. It's not a groundbreaking film, but if you like a mix of genres and don't mind the story's ups and downs, it's decent entertainment.
