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I Came By
By Stefan Pape,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Violent thriller has flawed antihero and psychotic villain.

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I Came By
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What's the Story?
I CAME BY is about a young graffiti artist called Toby (George MacKay), who alongside his best friend, Jay (Percelle Ascott), strive to hit back at society and target those in power. One of which is high court judge Hector Blake (Hugh Bonneville). However, with Blake they more than meet their match, putting both themselves tand Toby's mother, Lizzie (Kelly Macdonald), in grave danger.
Is It Any Good?
Babak Anvari's brings a Hitchcockian touch to modern day London in this striking, yet violent thriller. I Came By constantly surprises, never giving the viewer what they expect. The movie veers away from convention, subverting cliches so often found in this genre. This element of surprise is exemplified in the casting. Bonneville's sociopathic character is a real piece of work and is a departure from the gentler roles the actor is more associated with -- Downton Abbey will never be the same again. But it's a challenge he more than rises up to.
The film could just be that little bit slicker though. It has great ideas and the substance is there, but stylistically it just feels lacking somewhat. As a modern-day noir of this nature, having a more stylized, cinematic aesthetic would enrich the material. But it remains a movie with good ideas and great performances. And that's half the job done.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in I Came By. What impact did it have? What consequences were there? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Talk about the strong language used. What impact did it have on the movie?
Discuss the character of Toby. How might he be described as an "antihero?" What do you understand that term to mean?
How were drinking, smoking, and drug use depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? What did they add to the movie?
Actor Hugh Bonneville goes against type and plays a villain in this movie. Did you enjoy this departure? What other examples can you think of where actors who are known for playing one type of role play something completely different?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 31, 2022
- Cast: George MacKay , Hugh Bonneville , Kelly Macdonald
- Director: Babak Anvari
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Thriller
- Run time: 110 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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