The Guilty (2021)

Every scene, every frame, every second of this movie rests on Jake Gyllenhaal’s shoulders, and he never trips up.

What is The Guilty about?

A cop demoted to 911 operator duty scrambles to save a female caller, while struggling to keep his own demons at bay.

Where can you watch The Guilty?

It’s available on Netflix (including Netflix SA).

Trigger Warnings:

There’s no on-screen violence or sexual content, but the subject matter is adult.

My review of The Guilty

I never saw the original, but this film - regardless of any predecessor - is a brilliantly crafted thriller that’s executed to perfection thanks to Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance. After learning how this movie was made (amid a pandemic, in eleven days, with Fuqua directing over Zoom and from inside a truck) I have even more respect for the result.

This movie could have fallen apart under a lesser director or lead actor. But, The Guilty grips you from its opening seconds to its final shot. Fuqua’s direction is the best I’ve ever seen from him, but it’s the thoughtful and precise cinematography, incisive writing, and Gyllenhaal’s performance that truly make it a masterpiece.

Jake Gyllenhaal in The Guilty | from IMDB.com

It’s also ridiculously entertaining as a thriller should be. Even Gyllenhaal says that he and Fuqua were intent on delivering an entertaining thriller, despite the more serious undertones. At the same time, it’s poignant, heartbreaking, and relevant. There’s a deeper story here - a deeper message - and it hits hard. I appreciate what the story says about mental health and although I can’t say more because of spoilers, if you know, you know. It’s an important perspective.

Gyllenhaal is mesmersing. He embodies Joe’s tumultuous journey and every misguided, desperate choice his character makes with an emotional intensity that never lets up. His emotional range in The Guilty is breathtaking, and he commands your attention - locking you into Joe’s world from the first frame of the movie. Considering that he’s on-screen - alone - for 99% of the time, it’s an incredible feat.

Jake Gyllenhaal deserves an Oscar. It’s about time.

Have you seen The Guilty? What did you think of it?