Kimi (2022)

User Review

• 

  d_riptide

  7 / 10

  Unlike The Woman in the Window, Steven Soderbergh’s take on Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ not only better probes our anxieties but it makes “KIMI” a much more timely commentary on isolation and intrusion than…..that other film.
  
  
  This is a deftly directed and sharply executed 21st country riff on paranoid thrillers from the 70’s that Steven pulls absolutely no punches with. Every scene is executed with an Dare I say, it’s also the first film I’ve seen that actually used the pandemic tad more than just a gimmick and actively incorporates it into the characters struggle overall. The lead performance by Kravitz is a far cry from her usual performance banter but there’s something so resourceful about easily discomforting she is to put us into her characters shoes and makes her more sympathetic as a result.
  
  Sound design is brilliant at buoying the journey of not only reflecting the whirring panic but also putting us into Angela’s shoes in the most soothing and methodically unnerving manner possible, cinematography and editing is discombobulating to a fault to give a good visual sense of the tension and unease felt by Angela making for great visual storytelling. Koepp's script keeps a solid pace throughout its brisk 89 minute runtime, but you feel like you get to know the characters and the mystery quite well. Costumes are fine, there’s a unique style & sense of awareness that is executed clearly and with precision and Its messages on the dangerous pervasiveness of digital technologies and what it really means to reconnect with the world around you is sad, heartwarming and alarming looking through the lenses of todays world. The old adage about art imitating life rings particularly true in this case.
  
  
  Biggest issue by far is the pacing in this film; odd within itself because Steven is often known for being mindful with his pacing in films. The problem here is that maybe a few extra minutes were needed since this plot doesn't do nearly as much as it could with its tech-spin premise on the conspiracy thriller, especially with the way the film sort of just…..wraps up immediately within minutes without tying up much of anything. I guess it’s left up to interpretation at the end of the day.
  
  
  But who am I to say? This was a fun watch, decent Hitchcock-inspired thriller and intriguing commentary all in one.

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