OTL Releasing | Release Date: August 30, 2019
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings
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Positive:
9
Mixed:
6
Negative:
2
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5
LamontRaymondSep 10, 2019
This movie got 3 winks from me. Yes, I fell asleep more than once, but it was fairly interesting while I was awake. However, it's completely predictable. And the plot convention (communicating with someone on a different timely) has beenThis movie got 3 winks from me. Yes, I fell asleep more than once, but it was fairly interesting while I was awake. However, it's completely predictable. And the plot convention (communicating with someone on a different timely) has been done so much more thoughtfully in other projects. The two leads are fantastic, though. Expand
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4
CityOfGeekAug 30, 2019
Don’t Let Go is a frustrating film. It has a solid premise and a stable of consistently reliable actors, yet fails to use its seed of an idea to sprout more than a sapling of a film. In the post-show discussion of the six citizens of City ofDon’t Let Go is a frustrating film. It has a solid premise and a stable of consistently reliable actors, yet fails to use its seed of an idea to sprout more than a sapling of a film. In the post-show discussion of the six citizens of City of Geek present – the standard four of us and two friends – we came up with several far more interesting ways to use the set-up than the film itself did. That’s why we found the Jacob Aaron Estes written and directed sci-fi/horror/thriller to be so frustrating. Don’t Let Go doesn’t allow itself to dig into a great idea in any sort of more-than-basic way.


A solid conceit, Frequency with more pressing force of action; a little more mystery. Not much more mystery, however. There is the central mystery of who committed the murder and why, yet it’s easily solved. (The mystery of why this is happening is never even questioned, but that’s a plus) I’ve seen enough similar thrillers even without the sci-fi aspect to immediately figure out the entirety of the plot as soon as the murders occur. It wasn’t just me. All six of us, including the sixteen year-old, latched onto the truth. Knowing where the plot is going to go can be fine if done well or the filmmakers are aware of the obvious conclusion. Ari Aster’s Midsommar did this very well earlier this sommar, er summer. Aster knew we all knew the conclusion, so led us along in how it is to happen. Don’t Let Go doesn’t realize how obvious it is, thus the frustrating aspect of the audience knowing where the story is going long before the characters, dragging us along as we wait. Don’t Let Go leans on the idea as a base only, rather than exploring it. This issue ripples through the film, affecting it just as Reid’s actions alter her uncle’s future. By taking the time to move the plot along, it doesn’t allow the clever aspects the audience is filling in for the idea. There is a major scene, the tipping point for the two leads, where they both are finally on the same page over what’s happening. This occurs at the hour point. I feel this would have better served the story if it occurred thirty minutes previously. After this happens, the film is forced to run headlong into the climax. It is here where an often awkward but interesting moving chugging along by good performances and concept falls flat on its face, devolving into a series of silly set pieces and moments.

By moving this reveal – one we all know, there could be more scenes of both of the leads working together to solve the murders in the two time-lines. When this did happen a few times, the film worked. It was wonderful to see two people on different times affect one another. Other ideas are brought up – including the possibility to go Groundhog Day or Happy Death Day with it, but only used once. The string is presented, but barely pulled. Wish Upon from two years previous did the same. With these moments, one can see where the film could go into a much more interesting track, but then restrains itself. Frustrating. Run with it! If it’s done well, the audience will join you. If done awful, they still might (Serenity), but just don’t let it sit there and fester. David Oyelowo and Storm Reid help keep the film from fully sinking. Both give committed, solid performances. It’s good to see Oyelowo again, after marching onto the scene four years ago in Selma, he’s not really been seen (although heard in Star Wars Rebels. Storm Reid is a fine actress, doing as best she can to elevate this and the disastrous Wrinkle in Time (also featuring the voice of Oyelowo). They have a solid connection, connecting first in person and later across phone calls. Unfortunately, Alfred Molina phones it in with a very awkward performances. But oh Bowie, Mykelti Williamson is just awful as Oyelowo’s best friend and police partner Bobby. Every line reading is really off from everyone else, forced through in incredibly awkward and often comical performance. Someone teach this man how to hold a gun! Each time he does so it’s nearly like the inept cops in Plan Nine from Outer Space; holding limp-wristed or even aiming at his own chest and face. This makes an already inane performance ridiculous.

Don’t Let Go is a waste of a compelling premise. The leads make an attempt but they can’t save the film from sinking itself by failing to lean into the idea. Your head version of the story likely has better twists, turns, and a less obvious mystery. It starts alright, even if a few moments don’t quite land, but in the last forty minutes becomes a preposterous comedy. It’s not really worth your time. Frequency is, if you haven’t seen that.

D
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0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
GinaKSep 12, 2019
Although the basic plot mechanism here has been used many times (starting with Groundhog Day – or earlier), this is the first time I remember the resulting film having any “real” emotion in it. I cared about the characters, and this is partlyAlthough the basic plot mechanism here has been used many times (starting with Groundhog Day – or earlier), this is the first time I remember the resulting film having any “real” emotion in it. I cared about the characters, and this is partly because of good direction but mainly because of the commitment and complete believability that the actors brought to their roles. Although the production values are not very expensive, the resulting film is interesting and very involving. An excellent late summer surprise. Expand
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6
RalfbergsJan 2, 2021
I thought it was ok. Maybe a bit slow at times and story got a bit confusing at times too, but it was ok watch and idea.
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8
aurora1Aug 9, 2020
Extremely well krafted science-fiction movie about the forth dimension, with a clever plot that reminds of "Frequency". Brilliant performances from David Oyelowo and Storm Reid.
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9
Method__ManDec 18, 2020
Honestly this movie is underrated. The acting is superb, the plot is quite interesting, the delivery as a whole excellent.
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8
ZhiserionNov 27, 2019
Great movie. Well-paced and well-written (few to none instances of questioning the plot). Superb acting from the main characters. The only and major problem is that it's too obvious who the "villain" is. That affects the narrative greatly.Great movie. Well-paced and well-written (few to none instances of questioning the plot). Superb acting from the main characters. The only and major problem is that it's too obvious who the "villain" is. That affects the narrative greatly. Nonetheless, it is a good thriller. Watch it. Expand
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9
taffyappleSep 1, 2019
It was a very good movie and great acting!

Suspense thriller - a movie you will enjoy!!!!!!!!!
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8
akash221Sep 3, 2019
As the movie begins you think you know where it is headed, but you (the audience member ) only really have a general sense of direction and you quickly learn that this screen play and director Robert Zemeckis have a much more involved journeyAs the movie begins you think you know where it is headed, but you (the audience member ) only really have a general sense of direction and you quickly learn that this screen play and director Robert Zemeckis have a much more involved journey planned. This film exfoliates like an onion https://360result.in Expand
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7
Stream2BigScreeJun 21, 2020
Welcome back! 2020 is the worst so I decided to go back to what I missed in 2019. Don't Let Go, was a film that intrigued me back in August, but "I just couldn't get right"... like 2020 (shout out to Life). So this evening I decided to giveWelcome back! 2020 is the worst so I decided to go back to what I missed in 2019. Don't Let Go, was a film that intrigued me back in August, but "I just couldn't get right"... like 2020 (shout out to Life). So this evening I decided to give it a go. David Oyelowo plays Jack Radcliff, a cop and dedicated uncle, trying to figure out the murder of his brother and niece. Storm Reid plays Radcliff's niece, Ashley Radcliff. As we go through the events we have to figure out if he's gone understandably crazy, he's haunted, or the truth. Let's see what we get.

Ok, I'll start with I'm upset with myself that I didn't find the time to support this movie in August and September. First, the cast is almost exclusively black and what a rarity that is. Oyelowo and Reid, worked very well together as a uncle-niece duo throughout the movie. Oyelowo's character came across as authentic and invested. Reid's character while annoying was also portrayed very well. Girl, learn how to ride a bike in your spare time though! The two of them made the movie what it was. And then there comes the dark horse. PAPERBOI PAPERBOI I'm all about my paper boy! FX's Atlanta co-star, Brian Tyree Henry comes through with a small yet poignant performance. And don't get me started on Mykelti Williamson's typical role as police officer, talk about typecast! But he does his thing either way. But let's move on.

Second, I enjoyed this movie even though I felt lost at times. And when I say lost, I mean a viewer will want more things explained and they just weren't. The movie could've done a better job at that but I'm torn on if that would've improved the movie at all. At times a viewer will feel like they don't know what's going on but really you do, it's left vague on purpose. In fact, the movie is unpredictably predictable in ways. It keeps you on your toes thoroughly but in the back of your mind you know you were just suspending your imagination to keep the obvious at bay. And that's so hard to say for a storyline and concept that was original enough but still based off of a bludgeoned concept. Typically, I'd say I'm tired of Groundhog's Day/Butterfly Effect-like movies, but this movie had enough to keep me watching. I'll admit that the movie drug on towards the end but it did help build the intensity of the moment.

Lastly, this movie is filmed very crisply and clearly. In fact, the editing and cameras used make the movie very easy to watch. It is worth mentioning that when a movie is easy to look at, it enhances the overall appeal of the movie.

Needless to say, Don’t Let Go, was a movie meant for the theaters but is an even better streaming option. The movie isn’t perfect but Oyelowo’s passionate portrayal and the intensity of the film make this a movie worth chomping on a bowl of popcorn in theaters but a big box at home. Check it out before the theaters open up in July… HOPEFULLY!
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6
JLauSep 18, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Police officer prevents the death of his niece by receiving phone calls from the future, made by his niece. Expand
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