The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009)
Average Rating: 6.9/10
Reviews Counted: 92
Fresh: 75 | Rotten: 17
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 6.9/10
Critic Reviews: 21
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 6
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 26,984
Movie Info
An abduction takes a number of unexpected turns in this independent thriller from Britain. Vic (Eddie Marsan) and Danny (Martin Compston) are a pair of ex-cons who spend several days elaborately soundproofing and reinforcing the walls of a small apartment. Vic is hard-edged and domineering with a fierce suspicious streak, while Danny is weak-willed and will do nearly anything Vic asks of him. We soon learn what Vic and Danny were planning as they grab a young woman off the street, take her back
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Cast
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Gemma Arterton
Alice Creed -
Martin Compston
Danny -
Eddie Marsan
Vic
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All Critics (92) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (17) | DVD (5)
The Disappearance of Alice Creed begins with a van being stolen and ends with a different stolen vehicle being driven away. In between comes a tight, efficient thriller with just three actors and at least two whopper switcheroos.
Top CriticIt's refreshing to see someone putting the needs of the part over her image, and this is far from a halfhearted performance. It's gritty and gutsy.
And unlike many filmmakers who make movies to take pictures, Blakeson is interested in his players. His three principals deliver convincingly messy, ambiguous performances.
Like all top-notch best thrillers, The Disappearance of Alice Creed is a suspense-filled caper flick with enough twists and turns to leave the audience gasping and guessing until its final moments.
It wants to be a movie about the intersection between criminality and the class system but, for that, it could have used a bit more class.
A pulsating revelation on many levels at once.
A kidnapping story told in simple but effective way.
... An unnerving thriller that's driven by the threat of violence and the sexual proclivities of its protagonists.
What first-time director Blakeson does with this very familiar situation is cut it to the bone. Not only is there very little fat on this body, there's barely a skeleton.
Tense, thrilling kidnap story too violent for kids.
Tense, terse and beautifully crafted, it plays out with all the dread of a deadbolt hammering, inevitably, home.
The performances are nervy and vulnerable, lifting the material when Blakeson gets caught up in a few staring contests to pad out the film. At least in the first act, there's a real sense of threat.
Sure, it's a parlour trick movie, with no great idea at its core, but props should go to Blakeson -- he's packed a remarkable amount of thrills into a one-bedroom flat location.
J Blakeson's feature debut is as spectacularly suspenseful as it is deceptively simple
Though The Disappearance of Alice Creed doesn't quite play out to the end, it is still a fine thriller and an exciting calling-card film for J Blakeson.
The neatness of the movie, however, hems it in. It is plotted almost to a fault.
By the time the feelbad finale is in full stride, Blakeson's writing makes no sense whatsoever. However, his direction of this throttling three-handed thriller does leave a lasting impact.
If you like a good twist, then this is the next film you must see. Your eyes will be glued to the screen, wondering what unexpected plot developments lay ahead.
There are one or two implausibilities towards the end of it all but Blakeson overcomes those with his climax. There's not a special effect in sight and no stunts either but he never lets go of the suspense. It's a rare skill.
For a first time filmmaker, Blakeson shows a formidable sense of control, restraint and stylish flair reminiscent of a more established helmer and despite the odd misstep, takes the time to ratchet up the tension and intrigue.
The mental games that the characters play are underdeveloped, and the look of the film isn't worth leaving home for.
If Blakeson wasn't so desperate to shock his audience, the suspense he establishes early on might not have been so quick to join Miss. Creed in disappearing.
Tight as a three hander can be, the film pushes us to the edge of our seats from the start and never lets up... a mesmerising piece of cinema
It's filled with action, yet most of the action is internal. Taut, tense and thrilling, this film is a little beauty
Audience Reviews for The Disappearance of Alice Creed
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Danny: F**k that!
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- Vic: Wake up Ms. Creed, it's breakfast time!
Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| alice creed | 9 months ago | 0 |
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Latest News on The Disappearance of Alice Creed
November 9, 2010:
J Blakeson Wants to Go To Hell and GoneDirector J Blakeson ("The Disappearance of Alice Creed") is in talks for "To Hell and Gone," Warner...
August 6, 2010:
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Foreign Titles
- La disparition d'Alice Creed (FR)
