Detour

Detour, released in 2016, is a gripping and stylistic neo-noir thriller directed by Christopher Smith. The film features an impressive cast including Tye Sheridan, Emory Cohen, and Bel Powley. Known for its intense narrative structure and mysterious story arcs, the movie presents an intriguing exploration of the fluidity of fate, choice, and consequence.

Detour showcases the acting prowess of Tye Sheridan, seen as the soft-spoken and conscientious law student, Harper. Sheridan's character faces a life-altering situation, his mother is in a coma, and he blames his stepfather, Vincent, for her dire condition. Sheridan offers an intense 'tour de force' performance, balancing vulnerability with a burgeoning edge as the plot develops.

Harper’s world begins to unravel one night at a local watering hole, as he shares his suspicions about his stepfather with the unpredictable and seemingly volatile Johnny Ray (Emory Cohen). Johnny Ray is a roguish character, embodying the typical gritty charm and unpredictability of characters from classic Film Noir. Cohen's appearance gives the movie a certain weight; his performance is electrifying, providing the perfect counterbalance to Sheridan's Harper.

When Harper drunkenly suggests that life would be better if his stepfather were out of the picture, Johnny Ray, a hardened criminal, offers his lethal services for a fee. The next morning, when Johnny Ray and his girlfriend Cherry (Bel Powley) show up to collect, Harper must face the consequences of a contract that may or may not have been sealed in the heat of alcoholic haze.

Bel Powley, the British actress known for her breakout role in Diary of a Teenage Girl, lends a nuanced and pained performance as Cherry. Trapped in an abusive relationship with Johnny Ray, Cherry introduces a layer of complexity to the already intriguing narrative – is she simply an innocent bystander, or is there more to her presence in this dark tale?

The brilliance of Detour is in its narrative structure. It presents an avant-garde twist on the classic psychological thriller, employing a 'Sliding Doors'-style logic to the proceedings. The narrative splits into two possible consequences of Harper's actions – encompassing the diverging paths he could take, one involving retaliation against the stepfather, and other involving escape and evasion. This narrative technique does well to illuminate the internal grappling that Sheridan's character faces.

Visually, Detour is every bit as appealing as its narrative and performances. The film uses the harshly lit, dilapidated backdrop of Vegas and the open highway to further underscore its noir influences. Smith's pacing is clean and quick, and the film's tone is distinct, bordering on claustrophobic paranoia, allowing viewers to virtually experience Harper's mental state.

Detour is peppered with moments of sudden violence, underlying threats, and sharp dialogue, infusing the story with suspense. It captures the essence of noir films, throwing back to movies like Double Indemnity with its themes of fatalism and moral ambiguity. There is an omnipresent thrum of tension that Christopher Smith manages to sustain throughout the film.

The movie also collaborates effectively with sound and music, setting a haunting atmosphere that imparts a sense of increasing dread and desperation, sticking with the viewer long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, Detour is an engaging and intricate thriller that offers the audience more than your standard genre fare, with three-dimensional characters, an intricate plot, and a narrative style that keeps you guessing. The film forces the viewers to contemplate the concepts of fate, morality, and the often-blurred line between right and wrong. With its absorbing performances, thrilling twists, and moody aesthetic, Detour is worth a watch for anyone seeking an intelligent and thought-provoking cinematic experience.