Don't Go (2018 film)
Don't Go (also titled Don't Let Go) is a 2018 psychological thriller from Irish writer/director David Gleeson, starring Stephen Dorff and Melissa George.[1]
Plot
Struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of Molly – their only child – Ben and Hazel Slater resolve to build a new life for themselves, renovating an idyllic hotel by the sea on Ireland's rugged west coast. But there is no escape, for the place is full of memories. Haunted by the words 'Seas the day' which he sees everywhere and a recurring memory of a summer's day on the nearby beach when the family built sand castles topped with little red flags, Ben begins to realize that there are forces at work far beyond his understanding. But what do those words mean? Could it be a childish misspelling of 'Seize the day'? Could this be a message from the other side? When Ben wakes from one of the dreams with a tiny red flag in his hand, he becomes convinced that just as he seized the flag, he can also seize his little girl from the dream. But nothing is ever so simple and when his wife's damaged best friend Serena arrives, Ben becomes terrified that the truth will be revealed ... The truth of how his daughter really died. And as his grasp on reality begins to slip – as those around him begin to question his sanity – Ben becomes more determined than ever to solve this mystery and finally bring Molly home. A determination which pays off as the pieces of the puzzle slot into place, giving Ben everything he ever wanted, but at a terrible price.
Cast
- Stephen Dorff as Ben Slater
- Melissa George as Hazel Slater
- Simon Delaney as Father Sean
- Aoibhinn McGinnity as Serena
- Grace Farrell as Molly
- Gavin O'Connor as Mr. Norton
- Lalor Roddy as Removal Man
- Des Cave as Uncle Frank
- Luke Griffin as Kieran
- Charlotte Bradley as Siobhan
- Sean Mahon as Dave Pearse
- Laurence O'Fuarain as Kevin Gunne
Filming
The film [2] began shooting in the west of Ireland on July 10, 2017 and wrapped after 22 days on August 4, 2017 [3]
Release
Don't Go was acquired for theatrical distribution[4] in the US by IFC Films and opened in theaters on October 18, 2018. Don't Go opened in theaters across Ireland on April 12, 2019.[5][6]
Reception
The film received generally negative reviews with Rotten Tomatoes showing a 39% rating.[7] The New York Times labelled the film a "middling thriller" but called Dorff's performance "Strikingly enigmatic."[8] The Los Angeles Times found the film "dry and dour" saying "This picture needs less moping and more spooking."[9] Rex Reed panned the film saying the script was "too slow for its own good."[10]
References
- "Don't Go - Discover the best in independent, foreign, documentaries, and genre cinema from IFC Films. - IFC Films" – via www.ifcfilms.com.
- Busch, Anita (11 August 2017). "Stephen Dorff, Melissa George Headline David Gleeson's New Film 'Don't Let Go'".
- "#IrishFilm: Principal photography wraps on David Gleeson's Don't Let Go". Scannain. 4 August 2017.
- Hipes, Patrick (26 September 2018). "David Gleeson's 'Don't Go' Acquired By IFC Films, Will Hit Theaters In October".
- "EXCLUSIVE: Trailer & Artwork Released for David Gleeson's Supernatural Thriller 'Don't Go', in Irish Cinemas April 12th - The Irish Film & Television Network". www.iftn.ie.
- "Don't Go - David Gleeson on his new psychological thriller". 8 April 2019 – via www.rte.ie. Cite journal requires
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(help) - "Don't Go". Rotten Tomatoes.
- Bugbee, Teo (25 October 2018). "Review: In 'Don't Go,' Will a Dad's Dreams Change Reality?" – via NYTimes.com.
- Murray, Noel (October 23, 2018). "Review: Dreary mystery 'Don't Go' sticks to the beaten path". Los Angeles Times.
- Reed, Rex (October 26, 2018). "Stephen Dorff's Dump Truck of a New Movie Is Aptly Titled 'Don't Go'". The New York Observer.