W2TCH

The Card Counter (2021)

2021 • 1h 51m • Drama, Thriller • R
On September 29, 2026
#13562▲ 587
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All reviews

ummagumma on The Card Counter

4/10 · Dec 4, 2021

It’s hard to describe this film as anything but a jumbled and perplexing experience. There are spoilers ahead, so be warned. The central plot revolves around a puzzling choice made by an older man: he decides to finance a cross-country road trip for a young man who is clearly struggling with mental health issues. The young man, without much explanation, accepts this offer—a situation that any reasonable person would find bizarre when considering they're being asked to travel across the nation with someone they don’t know and are essentially acting as their companion. Throughout the film, viewers are left guessing about the connections between characters; one moment the troubled young man is portrayed as difficult and disrespectful, and the next he’s seen as a vulnerable person needing assistance. The romantic interest seems disheartened by the protagonist's casual attitude toward her—essentially treating her like just another acquaintance—but then simply accepts the situation without a clear explanation. The entire movie feels propelled by one strange choice after another, such as the inclusion of card games, which seem to exist solely to provide an excuse for shifting the setting and context of each peculiar decision. Ultimately, I believe the writer attempted to incorporate too many elements, leading to a sense of bewilderment rather than clarity. **Spoilers ahead... Spoilers ahead** The ending felt abrupt, with the main character simply deciding to reciprocate acts of torment inflicted by his adversary—again, for no discernible reason. It’s an adequate film, I suppose. Now it's my turn.

Source on TMDB