Years after a teenage boy died, his then-girlfriend shows up pregnant in his family’s broken house, claiming that it’s his.
Gripping thriller that went under the radar. The opening sequence on its own is interesting but nothing new. Melissa’s announcement that she is pregnant with Charlene’s son, who died five years prior to that, becomes a proper head-scratcher, but combining it to the opening sequence captivates your attention whether you want it or not. As if that’s not enough, the psychic’s information, the role of the estranged father, Bill and Gail’s subplot, and all that regarding the opening sequence keep the suspense at peak level throughout most of the film.
The plot is heavy and unbearable to whoever has suffered such a loss. Strange But True gives you the feeling that something is about to happen in every sequence – unfortunately, nothing good. The plot gets more and more intricate and dark as the story unfolds. The thrill and drama blend with each other, creating a concoction of overwhelming feelings, making one wonder how this situation will be resolved.
Based on John Searles’s novel and penned for the screen by Eric Garcia, Rowan Athale’s massively underrated thriller definitely deserves your attention. A great cast also leads and supports it: Nick Robinson, Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Brian Cox, Margaret Qualley, and Blythe Danner give outstanding performances, genuinely believing in Athale’s vision. Upon realising the truth, you won’t help but wonder past the end credits. Pontius Pilate raised the question: “Quid est veritas?” (What is truth?) Do we recognise it when we hear it? Is my truth the same as yours? Is your truth the same as others? Or do we all live in a different one? Strange But True addresses the “truth” without being absorbed by it and eventually reveals an ambiguous silver lining from a very dark cloud.
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