Today’s quick review: Shattered. Neil (Gerard Butler) and Abby (Maria Bello) Randall lead an idyllic life. Neil is an ad executive on the verge of a promotion, while Abby raises their daughter Sophie (Emma Karwandy) in a luxurious home. But all of that changes when a stranger (Pierce Brosnan) kidnaps Sophie and holds the Randalls at gunpoint. Now Neil and Abby must obey his twisted demands to have any hope of seeing their daughter again.
Shattered is a crime thriller about a couple whose lives are turned upside-down by a sadistic kidnapper. Piece by piece, the kidnapper dismantles everything the Randalls have, beginning with their savings and Neil’s career before moving on to their marriage itself. Shattered gets some good mileage out of this premise, unearthing Neil and Abby’s hidden secrets and exploring just how far they are willing to go to protect their daughter.
Still, in spite of an interesting setup and some nice tension, Shattered is not as polished as it could be. The movie has to walk a difficult line between raw shock value and making sure the kidnapper’s actions actually make sense. Shattered generally handles this balance well, but there are times when it feels like it is going in circles. Likewise, the ending is satisfying enough, but it’s missing the sting that more masterful thrillers have.
Shattered is a solid movie that will appeal to fans of suspense and dark secrets. It’s outclassed by other thrillers that play out similar setups with more skill, but those willing to follow Neil and Abby through the worst day of their lives will find it to be an interesting experience. Steer clear if you prefer thrillers with more options for the main characters.
For a more chilling thriller about a strained marriage, try Gone Girl. For a hostage thriller with a similar setup, try Collateral or The Commuter. For a more action-packed thriller starring Gerard Butler, try Law Abiding Citizen.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a tense, well-constructed story that makes a few minor misplays.