Skip to main content

Heart of Stone (2023)

 

Heart of Stone is a fantasy spy thriller for Netflix starring Gal Gadot.

Directed by Tom Harper who isn't really known in the States. He was nominated for a BAFTA and there isn't much wrong with the direction as much of the flaws of the film lie with the acting and writing. I was excited to see Greg Rucka was on the writer's table as he wrote The Old Guard which makes me think he wrote the action scenes which were okay if not worse. The progressive writing probably comes from Allison Schroeder which only hindered the movie. I know she's a capable writer as she wrote Hidden Figures. It feels like they're trying to make Salt or Atomic Blonde but with Gal Gadot as the lead and make it more modern and for a female audience. Action films typically have a male audience and so perhaps that was why it felt off.

Gal Gadot does not sell the idea that she's just a tech girl who's into chess. She also just walks through all the lines and doesn't emote much throughout the movie. She still has that look she can give like she knows exactly what you're thinking and it's not her worst performance with what she was given. I doubt she gave notes to Harper but if she did, Harper ignored her. 

Jamie Dorman played the punching bag, metaphorically, in the film. He was my least favorite part of the film. His whole character was poorly written and his performance was eye-rolling. You might remember him from the Fifty Shades franchise. His acting hasn't gotten any better, if anything because of the writing I would say I'd rather watch Fifty Shades of Grey. 

The film was a chore to finish. I couldn't wait for it to be over. This film will be forgotten by most. It's still better than some this year though because of Harper and Gadot. Result: D+



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Housemaid (2025)

The Housemaid (2025) is directed by Paul Feig , best known for comedies like Bridesmaids and Freaks and Geeks , and the tonal clash is noticeable. Feig leans into slick presentation and surface-level tension, but the film never quite reconciles its thriller ambitions with its obvious messaging. As an adaptation, it feels safer and more predictable than it wants to be, especially given how clearly it telegraphs its twists. Sydney Sweeney , known for Euphoria and Anyone But You , plays a down-on-her-luck woman recently out on parole who is desperate for work. She does what she can with the role and brings some emotional weight early on, but the writing limits her range. Her character cycles through bashful and annoyed so often that it starts to feel repetitive rather than psychologically layered. Amanda Seyfried , recognizable from Mamma Mia! and Mean Girls , plays the wealthy woman whose life slowly unravels as the power dynamic flips. Seyfried is solid and more controlled than Sw...
Post a Comment
Read more

Marty Supreme (2025)

Marty Supreme (2025) is written and directed by Josh Safdie , who previously directed Good Time and Uncut Gems . This film carries that same frantic Safdie energy, with constant motion and pressure that rarely lets the audience breathe. It is chaotic by design, sometimes to a fault, but the intensity feels intentional rather than sloppy. Even when the pacing threatens to overwhelm, the film remains compelling due to the strength of its performances. Timothée Chalamet , known for Dune and Call Me by Your Name , plays the title role and fits it perfectly. He fully commits to the character’s ambition and volatility, balancing confidence with insecurity in a way that feels natural for him at this stage of his career. This is not a transformative performance, but it is a highly effective one, and he clearly understands the rhythm and demands of a Safdie-style film. Odessa A’zion , who audiences may recognize from Grand Army and Hellraiser (2022) , is a standout as the love interest. S...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anaconda (2025)

Anaconda (2025) is a reboot comedy of the 90s film, written and directed by Tom Gormican , who previously delivered the clever and self-aware The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent . Unfortunately, that lightning does not strike twice. The core problem is simple. The jokes do not land. If horror films are judged by scares per minute, then comedies should be judged by laughs per minute, and this one delivers virtually none. Any humor that works was already burned in the trailer, leaving the film feeling empty and painfully drawn out. Jack Black , known for School of Rock and Jumanji , leans heavily into his loud, chaotic persona, but here it becomes grating rather than charming. His performance feels unchecked and repetitive, as if volume alone is meant to substitute for comedy. Instead of elevating scenes, he often drains them of momentum. Paul Rudd , who audiences know from Ant-Man and I Love You, Man , somehow comes off just as irritating. Rudd is usually likable even in weak m...
Post a Comment
Read more