Hotchka@Hotchka
What happens when a daughter goes missing after a dating app meet up? You get a decently constructed story -- albeit with some unintentional humor -- that will keep you guessing for the most part as to who abducted young Sarah.
The screenplay by Jackie Moore and Daniel West is well-crafted and gives us a nice Macguffin in the form of Sarah's dead father, a key point that helps prove the innocence of one suspect and the guilt of another. The only real problem is how terrible the lead detective is written, offering nothing but apathy and 'I know your daughter better than you do' attitude. At least the other detective shows mom Kate more compassion. The direction by Glenn Ciano makes wonderful use of the coastal Rhode Island locations, and he never allows the actors to signal their guilt or innocence until necessary (although there is a big aha moment that pretty much gives it all away).
Nicky Whelan is great as Kate, giving a natural performance and not spilling over into histrionics. Charisma Carpenter also does a nice job as restaurant owner Rena, showing great empathy for Kate, able to relate to her plight but ... being the biggest name in the cast, not playing Kate, and prominently featured on the poster artwork with an "I did it" look on her face nearly drains the story of its suspense.
The rest of the cast all do some wonderful work, and Shikena Stanton is excellent at making Detective Macready the most hateful character in the movie. It may not be perfect, but it was better than I expected.
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