Adrien Brody’s WRECKED Review

It seems like an eternity since I first saw the trailer for Wrecked starring Adrien Brody and I was curious from moment one of seeing the trailer as to whether this was going to be another great film from a very talented actor or a direct to DVD debacle. The film seemed to go nowhere with no theatrical release and no DVD information until much to my delight I turned on Netflix today and saw that it is a new on demand title.

So I ran to the fridge… ok lets be honest I walked, grabbed a beer and sat down to watch WRECKED on Netflix. First and foremost I have to say that Wrecked is not a horror film in the traditional sense. There is no serial killer, no hooded nightmare Wrecked is a story of survival of the elements, the human spirit and mind.

Wrecked is about a man who wakes up with no memory in a wrecked car in the middle of the mountains. A dead body lay’s in the back seat, and another has gone through the windshield. With no memory, and a crippling injury he must find not only a way out of the car to safety but more importantly discover who he is and how he is connected to the bodies and wreckage around him.

Right out of the gate Wrecked is a prime example of the kinds of films that Adrien Brody is best known for. Although he recently hit mainstream popularity with his fantastic role in PREDATORS he is really best known for his small complex roles in indie productions and a few smash hits like The Piano. Wrecked is an example of a powerhouse movie that is long, dramatic and a horrible concept for a big studio to try and sell in theatres.

Earlier today I reviewed the remake of Straw Dogs and talked about how long and painfully slow it was and to be candid so is Wrecked. But unlike Straw Dogs, Wrecked brings you along for a ride rather then making you suffer like Straw Dogs did. Wrecked has a fantastic story and is crafted with great talent by director Michael Greenspn and leaves you wondering throughout just who is this man? Hero, Villain or un-important? How did he get in the wreck? Will he survive and what will happen when he does?

Wrecked plays out like a stage play with 6 characters in the entire film and only two having any sort of real dialogue or interaction. That said every element of this film from the car, to its placement to the elements themselves are what makes Wrecked a truly interesting and powerful experience.

If you are a fan of Hitchcock you will definitely find much to love about Wrecked if you can stomach its painfully slow pace but considering it’s a story of survival as much as a mystery you shouldn’t expect a fast paced slasher or action montage. If you liked Adam Greens FROZEN, the dark thriller UNKNOWN or SPIRAL you will be sure to love Wrecked. If you prefer your horror with well… alot of horror then pass.

Wrecked is a dark thriller about survival and the mysteries of the mind and is definitely worth catching while it’s on Netflix on demand. 8 out of 10. On an unrelated note another very dark thriller that you definitely need to watch which also stars Adrien Brody is The Experiment. You definitely won’t be disappointed!