Sheldon Nylander

Oct 19, 2019

4.0

After an accident, Ray, played by Sam Worthington, has to take his daughter to the hospital. But something funny is going on at the hospital, which comes to a head with they take his wife and daughter for tests and she doesn’t return. Not only does she not return, but the hospital has no record of his wife or daughter ever having been there. He must now rescue his family from an organ harvesting operation being run out of the hospital. OR DOES HE??? *dramatic music plays* There are questions about whether he’s really perceiving things as they are while the hospital staff attempts to gaslight him and make him believe that he’s for all intents and purposes crazy. OR IS HE??? *dramatic music plays* Okay, I have to add these dramatic bits to this review because they’re more dramatic than the actual movie. It’s pretty obvious rather quickly what’s going on. Part of the problem may be the short runtime combined with a kind of lengthy setup. The setup seems to be designed to convey the sense of waiting long times in the hospital ER waiting room (...ah hah hah social commentary…) But this lengthy first act cuts into the time that could be used to build mystery and tension. As it is, it almost seems like a long “Twilight Zone” episode. If you want an “Are they crazy or not?” film that’s much better, check out “Flightplan” with Jodie Foster. But “Fractured” is a generally poor take on the genre and I can only recommend it if you really have nothing else to watch or do.

Gimly

Dec 28, 2019

3.0

When a movie holds a mystery, that's great, but when a movie just straight-up lies to you, that's crap. _Fractured_ is the latter. _Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._

Fractured is a tense psychological thriller that thrives on its cold, unsettling atmosphere. The cinematography does a great job of pulling you into the story, using muted tones and stark settings to keep you on edge. It’s visually striking and sets a somber mood that makes the experience feel heavier, but in a good way. The cold theme adds to the discomfort, making the story even more jarring to watch. Sam Worthington carries the movie with a solid performance, convincingly portraying a man unraveling under pressure. His intensity keeps you invested in his journey, even when the story starts to lose momentum. On the other hand, Lily Rabe feels miscast in her role. While her screen time is limited, it’s enough to notice that she doesn’t quite fit, and the lack of chemistry between the characters weakens some emotional beats. The plot, while intriguing, feels a bit predictable and struggles to maintain its energy throughout. It lacks the driving force that would keep it gripping from start to finish. Structurally, the movie feels loose, as if it’s not quite sure how to pace itself. You can piece it together if you look at it through the lens of a traditional three-act structure, but it’s not immediately clear while watching. Still, the movie’s atmosphere and Worthington’s performance make it a decent watch, especially if you enjoy psychological thrillers that play with perception.

Fractured is a psychological thriller with an intriguing premise and some well-crafted twists, but its execution falls short of fully realizing its potential. The film effectively introduces its main character, Ray, and his strained relationship with his wife, setting up a personal and emotional background that drives the story forward. Ray’s transformation as he tries to save his injured daughter and mend his marriage adds depth, although some plot points, especially related to hospital and police procedures, feel unrealistic yet still somewhat believable within a flawed system. The conflict builds steadily as Ray finds himself trapped in a confusing and hostile hospital environment, but many mysteries remain insufficiently explained. The film relies heavily on narration and dialogue rather than vivid visual storytelling to reveal key twists, which weakens the impact. Certain plot elements, such as how Ray manages to conceal bodies in his car, stretch logic and would have benefited from clearer flashback scenes to illuminate the truth more convincingly. Sam Worthington delivers a solid performance, convincingly portraying Ray’s emotional turmoil. However, supporting actors often come across as unnatural or exaggerated, detracting from the overall authenticity. Cinematography and sound design succeed in creating an appropriate tense atmosphere. Overall, Fractured remains engaging, but it leaves room for improvement in story clarity and character portrayal. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)