The Stranger is a unique, intense crime drama that's worth your time

 The Stranger - Thomas M. Wright - 2022

★★★★-The Stranger is a film that masterfully conceals its true tone, leaving audiences intrigued and guessing for most of the movie. Within its absorbing narrative lies an irresistible character study of two enigmatic men, both harboring complex secrets. One grapples with the haunting consequences of his past, while the other wrestles with guilt, striving to preserve his identity while masquerading in plain sight. This is unlike any crime thriller I've ever seen, that's for sure. 

Crime thriller written and directed by Thomas M. Wright. Based on a true story, which is fucked up. Comes from the non-fiction book The Sting: The Undercover Operation That Caught Daniel Morcombe's Killer by Kate Kyriacou.

Stars Joel Edgerton as the undercover and Sean Harris as the target of the investigation. Recognize Edgerton from Prometheus, The Green Knight, and a few of the Mission: Impossible movies. He works with Edgerton a lot. Harris played Tom in The Great Gatsby, was Gordo in the movie The Gift, and Boy Erased (the last two he also directed). They are both phenomenal.

HERE BE SPOILERS... Gist is a cop goes deep undercover to try to pinch a suspected child murderer in an insanely elaborate sting operation. His mission is to befriend the prime suspect and get a confession about the guy's involvement in the abduction.

At first, you question if the police are investigating the right man. Slowly start to see how the guy is a real monster, whether he did it or not. The elaborate covert operation all out induces a confession. Again, whether he did it or not. As portrayed in the film, he was probably guilty, but how they built their case was beyond fucked, and was likely entrapment. 

Overall: The film immerses viewers in a gloomy atmosphere of distrust, characterized by brutal language and a haunting soundscape that adds to the tension. With a tightly told mystery at its core, the movie captivates audiences with building tension, enhanced by outstanding the lead performances. It stands out from the average crime drama by offering a more challenging and intriguing experience. Impressive and disciplined storytelling is paired with stark visuals, creating a compelling cinematic journey. There is a powerful image of the guy smoking in a parking lot with the cops looking at him with disgust.

If you enjoy slow-paced films delving into tough and serious themes based on true events, this is a must-watch.