Today’s quick review: The Guilty. Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal), a disgraced LAPD officer, has been serving as a 911 operator pending an investigation into his misconduct. But his apathy for the job evaporates when he receives a call from Emily (Riley Keough), a woman who has been kidnapped by her ex-husband Henry (Peter Sarsgaard). Realizing he is Emily’s only hope, Joe moves heaven and earth to help the police find her before it is too late.
The Guilty is a minimalistic crime thriller that takes place at a 911 call center in Los Angeles. Equipped with only a phone and a computer, Joe tries to track a call he received from a kidnapped woman. Along the way, he pieces together the events of the kidnapping, uncovers a history of domestic abuse, and grapples with his own demons. Strong acting from Jake Gyllenhaal and a surprisingly engaging plot make The Guilty a worthwhile pick.
The Guilty uses its premise well. Joe and the audience are stuck at one end of a phone line, with no way to intervene directly or even see what is going on. Joe can only talk, listen, and ask others to act on his behalf. The tension of this setup makes up for the lack of onscreen action, and the limited information Joe receives makes the twists hit all the harder.
Naturally, The Guilty relies on Jake Gyllenhaal to carry it. His acting is up to the task. Joe Baylor starts off as impulsive, rude, and abrasive. His hotheaded personality gives him the drive to make a difference in Emily’s case, going beyond his duties as a 911 operator. But at the same time, it is an impediment to actually getting her the help she needs. Seeing Joe overcome his own worst tendencies is one of the movie’s main rewards.
The Guilty is a strong choice for anyone willing to venture off the beaten path. The lack of onscreen action makes it less accessible than other crime thrillers, but the unique format of the story, Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance, and a couple of sharp twists along the way give it an appeal of its own. Not everyone will want what The Guilty has to offer, but fans of Gyllenhaal and those interested in the setup should give it a shot.
For a minimalistic drama with more personal stakes that takes place over the phone, check out Locke. For a darker and less restricted crime thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal, try Nightcrawler. For a crime drama starring Gyllenhaal as a more responsible LAPD cop, try End of Watch. For an action-packed thriller about a man on a phone call with a kidnapping victim, try Cellular.
[6.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9421570/). I give it a 7.0 for solid execution of an original premise.