The film, directed by Fouad Mikati and written by Patricia Beauchamp and Joe Gossett, is a deliberately paced drama that ultimately falls short of delivering anything particularly memorable. It features Rosamund Pike, Shiloh Fernandez, and Nick Nolte, with music composed by Daniel Hart and cinematography by Russell Carpenter. The story centers on a nurse in a small community who experiences a brutal assault and subsequently chooses to form a connection with her attacker while he’s incarcerated. The question arises: is this an attempt at healing or something more troubling? There's a sense that a worthwhile film is struggling to emerge, one capable of exploring themes unique to those who have suffered terrible trauma. It touches on compelling ideas related to sociopathy, the breakdown of family structures, and isolation; however, despite Pike’s best attempts to elevate it, the movie suffers from flawed construction, frequent monotony, and a failure to fully capitalize on its gradual unfolding. The eventual explanation feels protracted, requiring an hour and a half to convey what *American Mary* managed in just twenty minutes. Furthermore, Nolte's presence is largely inconsequential, and Fernandez lacks the necessary acting strength for his part—he’s not even in Joaquin Phoenix’s league. Overall, it's a disorganized movie that's probably best skipped. 5/10

Source on TMDB