The Nest
This tale of a family uprooting their lives to move to the countryside in London for their egotistical delusional patriarch has the slow burn of a really intense, harrowing suspense film disguised as a family drama. None of the characters are particularly likeable but that's not the point. This film examines broken promises, spirits and more importantly finances.
Rory is one of the most selfish, manipulative characters since Adam Sandler's Howard Ratner blessed our screens in "Uncut Gems". While Sandler played his character as a blowhard, Rory tries to smooth talk his way through every conversation and negotiation but unlike in "Uncut Gems", he doesn't win in the end. Jude Law gives the best performance of his career as a white collar con artist who keeps looking for the next big thing at the detriment of his family, specifically his wife Allison.
Having been the submissive and unconfident partner throughout their relationship, Allison begins to retake control of her life after realizing that Rory refuses to accept reality. Allison slowly begins to understand how much Rory is trying to fake being high class, which leaves her disturbed by the alternative reality that he seems to be living in. The house Rory rents out for a year in the countryside is so big that they can't even afford to furnish it. Does this stop Rory from pretending to pursue ANOTHER property in London? Of course not. Played with deep hurt and resentment by Carrie Coon, Allison and Rory's relationship comes to a head in the third act which allows for both actors to showcase their skills. In a different awards season, both would be frontrunners in the Best Actor and Actress races.
Director Sean Durkin, whose last film was the Elisabeth Olsen cult thriller "Martha Marcy May Marlene", creates a mood that becomes more claustrophobic as you see the consequences of bad decisions and manipulation. What could have been a pretty formulaic family drama actually plans out closer to a domestic horror film than anything, which I think makes this more than worth a watch!
Large
- Brandon Collins
