Exposed

A good fabric can only stretch so far before it rips. The same might be said for the cop-thriller genre, which has surely been stretched more than any other. In order to really stand out a different approach is needed, and that is what  this movie has attempted to achieve. Whilst on the surface Exposed may seem predictable and clichéd, the story that develops is quite unusual.

The plot is simple enough: detective Scotty Galban (Keanu Reeves) is investigating the violent death of his partner and is desperate to find the key witness, Isabel (Ana de Armas). However, this is where the film  breaks from the usual narrative, as Isabel suffers a series of powerful and unexplained visions, which begin on the night of Galban’s partner’s death. The story of Isabel’s life is beautifully told; this is a character who is good, yet seems to be in a state of constant conflict with her less than savoury surroundings.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Galban, who lacks the emotional depth of Isabel and whose behaviour is at times downright confusing. His son is often mentioned yet never features and, rather than adding intrigue, this merely becomes  a distraction.  Although Galban is supposed to be the focus of the film, interest leans far more towards Isabel, leaving the cop-killer storyline nothing more than a subplot. Indeed, we find ourselves transfixed not on Reeves, but on his excellent co-star, Ana de Armas. When all is finally revealed, it feels hurried and rushed, like the script forgot about the murder and just managed to squeeze it in at the end.

Despite this, Exposed is an entertaining and exciting watch. Director Declan Dale has managed to create a story that  is familiar yet unpredictable. It is not a classic, but it is a lot better than many movies of its genre. Fans of Reeves may be waiting for the next instalment of John Wick, however, this will give them plenty of enjoyment in the meantime.

James Fisher

Exposed is released nationwide on 26^th February 2016.

Watch the trailer for Exposed here: