Fear and Desire (2019) User Reviews

Good ideas, marred by stilted dialog and inconsistent acting

[justinr-92941 · 4/10 · 16 January 2020]

Found footage (sorta) movie about five people escaping mass terrorism by hiding out in the hills in a very nice cabin. One of the five wakes, apparently after being out for days, to be told how the "city" has gone to hell in a handbasket because of international terrorism (dirty bombs, bioweapons in water supply). The majority of the movie is about her relation to the other escapees. When one of the four is killed, a fifth appears who is suspected of being a terrorist.

I won't give anymore away.

I found the concept intriguing. The setting appeared sufficiently remote to support the plot. What made it tough was numerous lines of dialog that read like a translation of much better foreign dialog--stilted, overdramatic, unmotivated by events--and an ending that I suspected was coming but left me unsatisfied.

Another reviewer mentions Trump Derangement Syndrome and blames the movie on Democrats. No idea where that is coming from. There is some mention of Trump on a car radio, but nothing in the movie is attributed to him or his actions as president.

That's the ending?

[hgraham1 · 1/10 · 31 May 2023]

I almost never review a movie, and I see at least 3 every week, sometimes 5. I had to come here to review this one because I hated it that much! The guy who played Brad needs to take better acting lessons. I could not believe him when he was angry, sad or almost crying. (I think he was trying to cry anyway). Not only that, but the ending was terrible. I guess it must be written somewhere that movies made in the last few years must have bad endings. They can no longer be good or happy. If you want a happy ending, do not see this one. Not only that, but there were plot holes. Was the reporter in on the plot? If so, how? She worked for a freaking news station! Was Moe in on it too? He mentioned the bad things that were supposedly happening while he was looking for his girlfriend. If he was, then what really happened to him and why? So many unnecessary questions. And finally, why was there a plot anyway? What was the reason for the charade?! If I ever see this movie again, it will be too soon. The movie was so bad that I am sure I could write a better one, and I am not a pro.