One of my favorite genres of horror is dystopian horror, particularly when it forces me to rethink assumptions that I have about my life or to re-examine somewhat common problems in a unique way. That sense of unease can force me to see things I might miss in a more standard story.
Kelley Kali’s “Jagged Mind,” currently streaming on Hulu, felt like it could be a story that fit the bill.
Billie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) is an art curator, struggling to let go of the unhealthy relationship she had with Christine (Rosaline Elbay). She is also struggling with significant lapses in her memory, and is concerned about early onset Alzheimers.
One night, while she is waiting at the bar, hoping to meet Christine, Billie is surprised by a drink from a new suitor, Alex (Shannon Woodward). They have an immediate magnetism for each other and begin a whirlwind romance. But despite their connection, Billie can’t help but feel uneasy about flashes she gets that indicate not everything is as it seems with their relationship. Is Alex the perfect girlfriend, or is there something more sinister going on?
The premise of this movie absolutely hooked me. A partner being manipulated by a time loop? Yes, please! It felt like it was going to have some good “Black Mirror” vibes, and I am always interested in that. But despite the intriguing story idea, this movie absolutely left me cold and disappointed.
The bulk of my frustration came from the way this movie went about revealing the time loop mechanics. I felt like there was no tension because every time there was a sense of disquiet or where Billie had competing ideas about what was true, the film just told the audience what was happening. The way the story unfolds undercuts any horror or dread that might happen. And maybe it’s just a preference, but the supernatural elements felt forced, particularly when technology is right there as a storytelling tool.
The performances are fine, but I found that the script undermined a lot of what the actors were doing. By the end of the movie, the dialog is so absurd that I don’t know that anyone could have salvaged it. The chemistry between Richardson-Sellers and Woodward was dodgy, which is tough, because on one hand, it’s a toxic relationship, but on the other hand, we should root for them at the start. That’s a tough space to navigate, but I didn’t feel like it worked here.
I desperately wanted to like this movie, but I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it because it failed as a horror film. Horror is fun when it scares you and great when it scares you and makes you think. This movie wasn’t able to do either.
ALISE CHAFFINS is a Morgantown writer who loves movies and sharing her opinions. She reviews a movie from a streaming service every Saturday and one newly in theaters every Sunday. Find more at MacGuffin or Meaning on Substack.
