Disorder

‘Disorder definitely could have benefited from more…order.’

Director Alice Winocour succeeded in giving us a juicy subject matter, yet never quiet hit’s the ground running with it. With the more than capable Matthia’s Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone, The Drop) as Vincent; an ex-soldier suffering from PTSD making his way as a security guard, initially this solid thriller was placed in good hands. Winocour sets the scene perfectly, as we witness an electrifying invitation only party where our wounded soldier quickly becomes obsessed with Jessie (Diane Kruger). This oh so glamorous lady of the house and her young son are placed in the secure protection of Vincent after discovering her Lebanese businessman of a husband is stuck in a tight spot. If anxiety levels aren’t high enough; whilst everyone else is walking on egg shells Vincent has to constantly juggle his condition as well as ensuring their immediately safety.

On a whole, the films premise is quiet an intense one and in the main the acting supports this. It is refreshing to see Kruger and Schoenaerts doing something other than the wishy-washy roles Hollywood provides them with. A lack of dialogue and awkward lines are given to Schoenarts suffering Vincent which only enhances his condition and at times makes for humorous viewing. The choice to have Vincent viewed as unhealthy stalker-ish for the most part; as we see various close ups of him ogling Jessie whenever he gets the chance subtracts from the empathy we are intended to feel for his status and replaces it with mistrust in his immediate mission at hand. Simultaneously, the sub-plots completely detract from his PTSD making it all the more difficult to focus on such a theme and not become swept away in the latter half which evolves into a sinister home invasion spin off.

His disease takes the back seat enabling suspicions to emerge. The main question that arises and hit’s us square in the face, is that is there really someone out to get this family or is Vincent so drugged up and unstable that his paranoia is truly getting the better of him? Is his friend that got him the job in on it, or are we as the audience starting to think like our fragile war veteran? Credit where credits due; tension was built skillfully along with sound, it was just a shame we knew what was coming a mile off and a lot of questions remained unanswered. Artistic tendencies creep through giving us beautiful shots of peaceful Maryland that is so cleverly turned into a dark and scary landscape quiet rapidly.

Glaring holes in the plot leave room for one to jump to conclusions when it comes to figuring out the mystery here. As much as everyone involved tried to make this about a man with Post traumatic stress disorder, the overall project felt rushed and relied far too heavily on an ear drum shattering soundtrack. Disorder has its moments, but there is something missing.

Disorder is released Good Friday, 25^th March 2016.

98 mins, 15 (2015)