By Ella Mahan
Exec. Arts Editor
The film “The Guilty” embodies the components of a true thriller, portraying intense acting to keep the audience on the edge of its seats.
“The Guilty” is a remake of a Danish film released in 2018 called “Den Skyldige,” which translates to “The Guilty.” The original Danish film was said to be based on true events, according to director Gustav Möller. He states that the idea came to him after listening to a real 911 call. The modern remake, released on Sept. 24, fails to surpass the excellence of the original, but still proves to be thrill inducing and entertaining for the audience.
“The Guilty” features well-loved actor Jake Gyllenhaal who plays Joe Baylor, the 911 dispatcher bombarded with the duty of aiding a troubled c“Halloween Kills” keeps viewers on edge of their seats, intriguing storyline
aller, Emily, who has been abducted in a white van. Along with Gyllenhaal, “The Guilty” also stars Riley Keough as Emily Lighton; Peter Sarsgaard as Henry Fisher; Ethan Hawke as Sergeant Bill; and is directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Joe Baylor is working a night shift when he is faced with the challenge of locating Emily.
After taking a series of precautions to ensure the safety of Emily’s young children, Abby and Oliver, who are still in Emily’s home, Joe is able to locate the van trapping Emily. Henry, the children’s father and Emily’s “abductor,” claims that he is driving Emily back to the psychiatric facility that she has been a patient at.
Joe receives a second call from Emily as she stands above a freeway pass, claiming she plans to jump to her death out of guilt for hurting her son Oliver. The audience learns of Joe’s dark past in this scene, and his manslaughter of a 19-year-old boy while on police duty.
Gyllenhaal perfectly captures the devastation and guilt scripted in the movie, making him a well-loved actor. While there is a limited plotline, Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of Joe Baylor exceeds the viewer’s expectations. While the acting and intensity of each scene was enthralling, the question of why Baylor put so much effort into aiding Emily when he seemed to lack empathy for the 19-year-old boy’s life still remains. The plot fails to justify these efforts, and the audience is expected to simply accept the plausible plot.
Despite issues regarding the plot, the theme of police brutality seen throughout the film overshadows this negative aspect of the film. Because police injustice is so prevalent in modern conversation, it adds importance and background to Joe’s conflicting actions throughout the film.
“The Guilty” is definitely worth watching.
The film’s embodiment of a true thriller draws the audience members in and engages them through an intense plot, leaving them unable to anticipate what is coming next. Additionally, the underlying theme of police brutality present in the film, which is a prevalent, modern issue in society today, adds depth and underlying meaning to the film, while also providing context for the audience.
Released on Sept. 24, “The Guilty” is rated R and is available for streaming on the platforms Netflix and Hulu.
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