Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dull domestic thriller has drugs, language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Vanished Into the Night
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In VANISHED INTO THE NIGHT, Pietro (Riccardo Scamarcio) is working with his wife Elena to amicably separate and figure out how to coparent their two kids together. But when the children disappear one night under the care of Pietro, they will have to figure out who took them and why.
Is It Any Good?
This film could have been much more than it ends up being. With a too-heavily forecasted final act, Vanished Into the Night fails at becoming something interesting, especially if the viewer ascertains the twist or what's really going on before its arrival. There are many unanswered questions and logical issues as well. Why no tears or crying after finding out the kids are missing? Why does no one just call the cops? No one even tells them not to. Additionally, it's hard to believe that the money involved happens to be exactly the amount needed for the situation at the end, that Pietro suffers no consequence for his actions in the boat, and that the children themselves don't say anything about their mother.
And despite a very brief two-sentence complaint about Pietro not being flexible in the marriage, it's entirely unclear what Elena's reasons are for her actions. Even if she's unhappy, it doesn't explain it. The consequence is that with no background or character development, there's nothing to help motivate the viewer to even be interested in these characters, let alone like them. It doesn't help that Pietro is stiffly played against an overly acted Elena, but to be fair, these characters have to say things like, "But that kiss ... it wasn't a lie."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in dramatic thrillers. What kind of violence happens in Vanished into the Night that's not physical?
What do you think about the movie's twist? Were you able to predict the final act? If not, were you pleasantly surprised or disappointed?
What's the appeal of domestic thrillers? Why do they remain so popular?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 11, 2024
- Cast : Riccardo Scamarcio , Annabelle Wallis , Massimiliano Gallo , Gaia Coletti
- Director : Renato De Maria
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 18, 2024
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