Good idea lost in the noise

Good concept, poorly executed.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I think most of the other reviewers have picked apart the movie quite thoroughly - highlighting the numerous areas that were perplexing choices on behalf of the director.So, I just have one thing to add. This film is set in San Francisco with some brief shots in San Diego (Seaworld). Why? None of the characters had a San Francisco mindset - that was what took me completely out of the movie, rather than the fantasy elements (which I had no problem with). At best I could classify their mindset as small town New England, but that also doesn't seem fair. If you are interested in a movie that does a good job of portraying the type of people who live in the Bay Area, I recommend Coherence.The San Diego scene was all wrong too - nobody wears jackets and hoodies when they go to Seaworld.

This very stylish movie may have difficulty finding its ideal audience. It attempts to mix way too many genres and themes – eventually losing its way. It starts out with an intriguing situation to hook the viewer's interest as it follows the life, to-date, and leading up to 9 year old Louis's dreadful 'accident'. A treating doctor (Jamie Dornan) recommends some sessions with a Child Physiologist - superbly played by the always good to watch Oliver Platt (Pieces Of April '03). IMDb have sadly failed to include his name within the top billed cast listing - not good for one of the most important characters in the story. From there, we follow the bizarre family situation young Louis grows up in.Problems begin when the story drifts in and out of presenting itself as a horror/monster, come sci-fi, come psychological sex/murder/child harming mum mystery. None of these themes sit comfortably within the main story of a nine year old boy. Performances are good and the style is undeniable, but few will be ultimately satisfied (as the box office returns suggest).

I'm glad I only watched it on Netflix, it's soooo slow I gave up. All I got out of it was a jerk of a kid who's accident prone. I don't mind psychological thrillers, quite like them actually but there needs to be something of interest to hold onto my interest and this didn't have it. I persevered for about a half hour or what seemed like a lifetime before giving up. The hook that there 'might' be something of interest at the end is not enough for me to invest and hour and a half of my time or however long this film was. No thanks, time to move on.

I made the mistake of reading some reviews and almost didn't watch it because of the negativity shown towards the movie. Certainly, the key themes are adult in nature and lend a darkness that seems at odds with the perspective of a child's narrative, but that helped keep some of the mystery, even though it appeared to give some reviewers a reason to dislike the movie. Early in the movie I'd a pretty good idea how the story would play out and yet the way in which it did was not predictable and kept my interest. I even liked how the "pirates of the Caribbean / a monster calls" style was utilised in manifesting some of the plot. To summarise this was certainly worth a watch and not as bad as some of its haters would lead you to believe.