Directors vary considerably, from those who rule with an iron fist to more gentle personalities. The most skilled ones often fade into the background, subtly guiding their teams while bringing their overall concept to life. It’s unclear whether James Ponsoldt is on a path toward success or simply meandering. He seems willing to give his performers considerable freedom, but at times they appear unsure of where they're going, as if making things up without any real direction—which can be intriguing for a while, giving the film an unplanned, realistic feel. The intention appears to be that there is no intention. And if everything falls into place just right, everyone benefits. However, some performers simply require more guidance. Miles Teller, a popular actor who seems adrift, often looks uncomfortable and confused, which might align with his character's state. Without proper direction, he occasionally succeeds, other times overacting in an attempt to appear relaxed, or unsure how to make an impact. He’s likely just trying to stay synchronized with Shailene Woodley, who consistently delivers a strong performance, this time as an intelligent Cinderella destined for heartbreak. It seems she has the ability to elevate even unremarkable films, repeatedly rescuing movies that seem to exist solely to pair up young actors and present a series of romantic situations. Many scenes conclude abruptly, possibly because the performers ran out of energy, draining the moment of any significance. Achieving something truly impressive is difficult when the director isn't actively involved. Then there’s the sudden appearance of an unexpected scene. When Miles shouts and orders Shailene to exit a car in a remote location, and she then steps onto a freeway and is instantly struck off-screen by a speeding bus, I was startled. It felt like I had been jolted awake. I was prepared to overlook the director’s apparent lack of involvement up until that point, assuming it was merely a setup for a dramatic accident—one that would completely change the course of the story. I anticipated finding Woodley in a coma, confined to a wheelchair, or severely disfigured, and Miles facing a test imposed by fate. How will he respond? But the narrative continues as if nothing happened. Which I suspect was never part of the written script or planned on location. It seems like a sensationalized CGI stunt added during editing to inject some excitement into an otherwise dull story. A cheap trick. This is indicative of weak storytelling and a director who isn't in control.

Source on TMDB