Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Underwhelming thriller has sex, suicide references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Strictly Confidential
What's the Story?
In STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL, a group of 20-somethings return to the Caribbean island where their friend Rebecca (Lauren McQueen) mysteriously died the year before. Staying with Rebecca's mother, Lily (Elizabeth Hurley), and sister, Jemma (Genevieve Gaunt), Mia (Georgia Lock) struggles to come to terms with the version of events they've been told and sets out to find the truth. But the further she digs the more secrets and lies she uncovers until she's faced with a revelation that will rock all of their worlds.
Is It Any Good?
The first feature film from Damian Hurley relies heavily on the star power of his mother, Elizabeth Hurley, to pull in an audience for what proves to be an underwhelming and oversexualized thriller. Strictly Confidential just about maintains viewer attention for its 89-minute runtime, but its cliché-heavy script, stilted interactions, and over-dramatic music make it hard to fully buy into. It's full of generic lines that don't really mean anything, with characters exclaiming "I don't know what's going on" and "my world's falling apart" without the plot really earning their angst. A woman asks her ex to stay the night for no real reason other than to add more sex into proceedings, which seems to be the go-to here while treading water between plot reveals. Lock shows promise at times that transcends the material, as does Llyrio Boateng, but elsewhere Hurley's cleavage gets more screen time than her face and her relationship with Pear Chiravara's Natasha is played purely for titillation, with the pair barely uttering a line without launching into an awkward-looking embrace. It's watchable but certainly not exceptional, though its attractive cast and stunning Saint Kitts and Nevis location might be enough to lure audiences in for an easy view.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes of secrecy and betrayal in Strictly Confidential. What secrets were unveiled during the movie and which ones had an impact on the truth behind Rebecca's death?
How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Thrillers often rely on mystery and plot twists. How did the plot twist in this movie compare to others you've seen? Did you guess it in advance?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Director Damian Hurley worked with his mother Elizabeth Hurley on the movie. Can you think of other family members who've worked together on film or TV projects? How do they compare? Do you think the relationship impacts the outcome of the film/show?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 5, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : April 5, 2024
- Cast : Elizabeth Hurley , Georgia Lock , Lauren McQueen
- Director : Damian Hurley
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexual content, language and bloody images
- Last updated : April 4, 2024
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