'Vanished Into the Night' Review: Mediocre Netflix thriller fails to use its greatest advantage
BARI, ITALY: Annabelle Wallis, known for her role in 'Peaky Blinders' and 'The Mummy', features alongside Riccardo Scamarcio in an Italian thriller film titled 'Vanished Into the Night'.
Directed by Renato De Maria, the film premiered on Netflix on July 11, 2024 and follows the strained relationship between Pietro, a man seeking redemption for poor choices in the past, and his wife Elena, who moved from America to Italy to start a new life.
As Elena begins to miss her career, family, and friends back in America, she decides to return, leading to a brutal custody fight which takes a dark turn when their children are kidnapped.
'Vanished Into the Night' falls prey to a sluggish pace
The plot of the film is intriguing. When their kids vanish into thin air one night, you are seated for a big mystery. But as the film progresses, the pace gets weirdly sluggish, especially for a man racing against time to save his kids.
The film suffers from a lack of character development, making it difficult for viewers to connect with the characters.
Additionally, it reveals its twist too early and blandly, leading to a lackluster ending.
Eventually, the film falls short of delivering the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat tension that a good thriller should provide.
'Vanished Into the Night' is a one-time watch at best
'Vanished Into the Night' is backed by good performances. Riccardo Scamarcio convincingly portrays a father in anguish, desperate to reunite with his children and willing to go to any lengths, with his emotions clearly visible on screen.
Annabelle Wallis excels as Elena, capturing her character's anger, desperation, and transformative moments with precision.
The film makes no use of Italy's scenic beauty and follows a dark tone throughout. And thus, the film misses on the opportunity of offering a cinematic experience.
The screenplay has its fine moments, particularly in scenes where the couple battles over custody and when Pietro's determination for his children shines through. However, as a thriller, it falls short and could have benefited from better execution.
For viewers seeking a thriller that doesn't demand much thought, this film may suffice. But for those looking for a truly gripping experience, it might be best to skip this one.
'Vanished Into the Night' is now available to stream on Netflix.