I’m a simple man. I see a movie starring two actors I really like, I’m going to watch it. Ben Affleck has always been an interesting actor to watch. Doesn’t matter if it’s a Kevin Smith film, if he’s Batman, or he’s just having fun like he was in “The Last Duel”. I want to see what kind of stuff he does. And Ana De Armas has been making a name for herself over the last several years. Sure, she’s been acting for a little while. But thanks to her roles in “Blade Runner 2049” & “Knives Out”, she’s becoming something of a big name. I was hoping that this movie would be a benefit for both of them, especially since it’s Ben Affleck returning to the thriller genre. But unfortunately, that isn’t the case.

Both of them do a good job in their performances. I don’t have any criticisms there. But the writing isn’t great, especially when it concerns Ana as Melinda. She is always coming off as the low-key villain in this story for me. I get what the movie is trying to go for, but it just makes her seem like she wants the events of this film to happen despite the emotion she gives in certain scenes. The writing for Affleck’s Vic is stronger. And despite everything that happens in the movie, I’m strangely always hoping he comes out all right. I guess that’s just the Affleck charm.

But I can’t sympathize with either of them in this film. The movie shows them as a couple who really only stay together because of their daughter. If I’m being honest up front, I’m not a relationship expert. I’ve never been in this situation, I don’t have any kids, and I understand the emotions between two romantic partners can be complicated. But if a relationship is only held together because of a child – and the relationship is BARELY held together like it is in this movie – that’s unhealthy and it needs to end. It may be hard for a child to watch their parents get divorced. But If these two just pulled the trigger on that process, NONE of the events of this film would happen. And they would quite honestly be happier because of it.

Even putting that aside though, this just isn’t a very interesting movie. Most of the supporting cast I completely forgot about. Hell, most of the supporting disappeared altogether around the halfway point. There is still one character who is doing his own investigation regarding the film’s plot, but it’s for selfish reasons so I’m not rooting for him. People have been saying that this movie was buried by going to Hulu after being pulled from a theatrical release and given minimal marketing. I can understand that thinking after watching this film. But…I can’t act like I’m not entertained in a sort of guilty pleasure kind of way. I do think the film does have good atmosphere. And like I said, the performances of the main leads are good.

Look, if you are looking to be entertained for two hours by an erotic thriller that isn’t that bad, then you can check this out. Just don’t be expected to be impressed by much of anything. But chances are you might still find something to enjoy about it or even laugh about.