Psychological thriller Regression stars Emma Watson and Ethan Hawke – DVD review and giveaway
By Tribute on June 15, 2016 | 21 Comments
The psychological thriller Regression, inspired by true events and starring Ethan Hawke, David Thewlis and Emma Watson, is directed by Alejandro Amenábar.
Regression follows detective Bruce Kenner (Hawke) who is investigating a case of parental abuse in 1990 Minnesota. Angela Gray (Watson), 17, has accused her father, John, of molestation, and he unexpectedly admits guilt, sending shock waves through their small town. However, he doesn’t actually remember the molestation or doing it.
Detective Kenner and psychoanalyst Professor Kenneth Raines (Thewlis) use an experimental treatment called Recovered Memory Therapy, or Regression, to regain these repressed memories. Shocking details begin to come to light, with Angela claiming to have been abused as a part of a satanic ritual. The list of suspects quickly piles up, with various family members and friends accused of being part of the cult. Kenner desperately tries to find the truth, all while dealing with his own demons.
Regression is based on real reports of satanic ritual abuse that ran rampant in early ’90s America, and explores the mass hysteria that followed and the controversial method used to extract the memories of the accused cult members.
It’s a dark, almost Gothic film that packs some thrills and suspense. However, the story itself just didn’t reach its full potential — to explore the cerebral depths of religious hysteria when society’s faith in God is threatened. This is a truly interesting idea for a film, and could’ve turned out much better if the focus shifted from being a cut-and-paste psychological thriller to creating a believable and nuanced story line. Even the super-serious scenes featuring satanic rituals and the regression method are overwrought.
But the biggest issue with this movie is that the majority of the story is seen through the eyes of Detective Kenner, who just doesn’t have much of a backstory. All we know is that he’s a divorced “non-believer” with a bit of an impulse problem. Angela, the center of the drama and probably the more interesting of the two characters, is rarely part of the deeper, psychological conversation, making any sort of climax very anti-climactic.
Regression is ultimately a surface-level, self-serious film that acts as if the stakes are much higher than need be, and because we don’t really know these characters, it makes it that much more difficult to care.
We have three DVD copies of Regression to give away – if you’d like to be eligible to win one, tell us below what is your favorite Emma Watson or Ethan Hawke movie?
Special Features: a French version of the film, and a scene index.
If you’ve seen Regression and you’d like to write your own review and/or rate it, please click here. We’d love to know what you thought of the film. Also leave a comment below for our other readers!
Comments & Discussion
Similar Articles
New movies in theaters – Elvis with Austin Butler and more
June 23, 2022 | Leave a Comment
Elvis, the biopic of Elvis Presley starring Austin Butler hits theaters this weekend. Also opening is The Black Phone starring Ethan Hawke, the George Michael documentary and three limited releases.
Little Women adaptation is brilliant – movie review
December 23, 2019 | Leave a Comment
Greta Gerwig’s Little Women is a brilliant adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott’s American classic novel, starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Laura Dern and more.
New movies in theaters – After, Hellboy and more!
April 12, 2019 | Leave a Comment
After, the film based on the best-selling novel of the same name releases today! Click here to find out what other movies are hitting a big screen near you.
My fave Ethan Hawke movie is Gattaca.
My favorite movie is Harry Poter
Emma Watson growing up through out the Harry Potter films.
My favorite Ethan Hawke movie is Training Day.
Favourite Ethan Hawke movie is Dead Poet’s Society
Favourite Emma Watson movie is Noah
I’m thinking my favourite Emma Watson movie is going to be Beauty and the Beast
Fave Ethan Hawke is Training Day, fave Emma Watson is HP and the Goblet of Fire. Would love a copy of Regression!!
My favourite Ethan Hawke movie Reality Bites
My favourite Ethan Hawke movie is SINISTER.
I’ll watch anything with Emma Watson <3
My favorite movie with ethan hawke is gattaca
I guess I have to say Ethan Hawke in Predestination. Not that I think it was an exceptionally good movie (it was ok) but for some reason I can’t stop thinking about it. It was a very strange movie, definitely not one you see every day and I thought both main actors were convincing. I like movies that keep me thinking. I would watch that movie again and I would recommend it.
Fav Ethan Hawke movie is 2004 Before Sunset.
My favorite Ethan Hawke film is Gattaca.
My favorite ethan hawke film is boyhood! Richard linklater is a fantastic director!
My fave Ethan Hawke movie is SINISTER.
My favourite Ethan Hawke movie is Daybreakers!
Favorite Emma Watson movie(s) Harry Potter
My favourite Ethan Hawke movie was Boyhood followed by Training Day!
I like Emma Watson in the Harry Potter movies
My favourite Ethan Hawke movie is SINISTER.