I just saw an early screening of LNIS. This was a movie that I have been wanting to see for a long time. Several years ago we got just the barest of whispers about it, just enough to make it sound interesting. A few months ago, we finally got a trailer. The wait was long but in the end I think it was worth it. I really enjoyed this film.
The atmosphere is a lot of fun the "time travel" aspect has been done a bajillion times before but it doesn't feel stale or old here. It may not feel particularly new but it's still manages to be entertaining and visually stunning. The visuals are a huge plus to the movie, the colors, lighting all have aspects of a giallo kind of film while still feeling like it's own thing. There are a lot of reds and blues to accentuate scenes that on their own would be entertaining. It never felt like it was just there to polish up a scene that would have otherwise been mediocre at best.
The acting is fantastic and very believable. From Thomasin McKenzie to Anya-Taylor Joy and even Matt Smith who plays a real bastard but does it really well. Terrance Stamp brings his Terrance Stamp creepiness and it works really good. Mckenzie and Joy shine the brightest from McKenzies innocent attitude and her love of the 60s decade and her having to come to turn with some harsh realities to Joys more tragic character dealing with those said tragedies. Everyone else around her, our other mains side characters really work well. Even McKenzies romantic interest is entertaining enough to work.
The mystery is fun and the build up is well done and thrilling. Even if it does end up in a place that's not exactly new there is enough of a spin on it to make it a little different from all the rest. I can't say much else without spoiling it from those who haven't seen it but I didn't feel let down by it. I wasn't blown away either but it worked well enough.
I don't think it beat out "The Night House" for my favorite this year but so far it has been it's toughest contender. Tomorrow is "Antlers." I will report back on that one.