With "Unhinged – Out of Control" it gets exciting in the cinema after the Corona forced break. Russell Crowe convinces as a psychotic killer.
Originally it was only supposed to be released in cinemas in August, now "Unhinged – Out of Control" will be released on July 16 in Germany. The creators of the psycho-thriller with Russell Crowe (56, "A Beautiful Mind – genius and madness") as the villain apparently have greater chances because of the hitherto lean offerings in the cinemas after the Corona forced break, numerous starved cinema fans in the reopened cinemas to trick into. The plan could work, because the longing for gripping entertainment is likely to be great – and "Unhinged" offers it, albeit without depth.
Honored too much: that's what it's all about
The young Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is in the middle of a divorce and is late again. With her son Kyle (Gabriel Bateman) in the back seat, she is in daily traffic chaos on the way to school when she also quits her most important client. And then this: When the driver (Russell Crowe) stubbornly ignores the green traffic light in front of her, Rachel honked past him. So she becomes the target of the concentrated anger of a man who has nothing left to lose.
The stranger firmly clings to Rachel's heels to teach her a series of lessons that she won't soon forget. And not only is she his goal, but also everyone she loves. Mercilessly and apparently unstoppably, the stranger strikes again and again in the most brutal way, until he finally targets Kyle and Rachel himself.
Cat and mouse game with a fearsome Russell Crowe
Right at the beginning of the almost 81-minute game of cat and mouse, the viewer learns that Rachel, who is unlucky after being hit by bad luck, is dealing with a true psychopath. Russell Crowe's nameless character murders a couple in their home without any scruples and then sets it on fire. Crowe's look is cold, somber and nefarious. When Rachel, played by newcomer Caren Pistorius (30, "Slow West"), annoys him and catches up with her in slow traffic, boundless rage blazes in his eyes. "They don't even know what a bad day is, but they'll find out," he says, causing goose bumps.
Oscar winner Russell Crowe is a character actor, at least since his portrayal of the brilliant mathematician John Forbes Nash in "A Beautiful Mind – Genius and Madness" (2001) by director Ron Howard (66). In "Unhinged", he once again proves that the New Zealander has extraordinary acting talent. He even manages with his performance that the viewer sometimes overlooks the obvious weaknesses of the script. Crowe's convincing portrayal supports the film and offers his young co-stars Caren Pistorius and Gabriel Bateman (15) a platform to establish themselves.
Screenplay without draft
But even an outstanding Russell Crowe cannot fully console the weaknesses of "Unhinged". At the latest halfway through the film, the viewer inevitably wonders whether the background of the main character will ever be revealed. Who exactly is this stranger who acts cold-blooded like a professional killer? Who or what drove him to become so nefarious? The hints placed sparingly by author Carl Ellsworth (70, "Disturbia") in the script suggest bitter disappointments, but the audience is waiting in vain for more information.
Perhaps the knowledge gap is intentional and the focus is purely on the assumption that lack of empathy and rougher manners occur more and more in the United States – and probably elsewhere – and lead to more and more everyday violence. "Nobody knows how to apologize nowadays," is the sober assessment of Russell Crowe's character. A little more background knowledge about the main character would not have hurt, however.
Conclusion
"Unhinged – Out of control" provides only a very subtle food for thought, but offers exciting entertainment for just under an hour and a half, which can also send a shiver down your spine. Cinema viewers may have to get used to Russell Crowe as the villain, but his role is taken from the otherwise likeable Australian by choice. It is definitely worth going to the cinemas after the long Corona dry spell – it is always a welcome change.