Let Him Go – A Well-Acted But Uneven Thriller (Early Review)

The most effective thrillers pack a substantial punch when they take a particular scenario that could likely happen in real life and heighten the stakes to keep audiences on edge. Thomas Bezucha’s Let Him Go explores the trauma and hardship associated with custody battles and channels that energy into a flawed, but thoroughly entertaining roller coaster thriller. Based on Larry Wilson’s novel of the same name, the film stars Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Margaret and George Blackledge, a couple struggling with the recent death of their son. Living their days in despair, all they have left is their beloved grandson. When their daughter-in-law Lorna (Kayli Carter) gets engaged to an abusive and dangerous man named Donnie Weboy (Will Brittain), the couple embark on an adventure off the grid to rescue her and their grandson from the clutches of his extremely controlling family. 

Its no secret that Bezucha doesn’t have the greatest track record as a filmmaker. He’s mostly known for his light and relatively forgettable romantic comedies such as Monte Carlo and The Family Stone. While Let Him Go isn’t necessarily heavy on substance despite having a meaty premise, it is an indication that Bezucha indeed has promise a filmmaker as the film represents a significant direction change in his career. Not only is it fast paced and briskly edited, it also takes its time to include more somber moments with stunning landscape cinematography.

The fact that Lane and specifically Cosner haven’t had too many notable performances in recent years, which is why its so refreshing to see them in roles where they are able to truly shine. As Margaret and George Blackledge, they show off their impeccable chemistry, while also delivering performances that stand on their own. Cosner is stoic, but also not afraid to lean into a more sensitive side during a few select moments. However, Lane truly steals the show with her vulnerable and multi-faceted performances that seems almost too good for a film of this caliber. Meanwhile, Manville is also notable in her antagonistic role as Blanche Weboy, the matriarch of the Weboy family, which allows her to deliver a completely over-the-top and menacing performance. 

Despite strong performances and some impressive technical elements, Let Him Go ultimately struggles to separate itself from thrillers in the same lane. It features a stereotypical depiction of the deep south with antagonists that are certainly entertaining to watch, but don’t have much in the way of depth or authenticity. The caricature-esque portrayal of select characters only strips away the tension of certain key moments. While Its exploration of the horror of custody battles is certainly interesting, it unfortunately doesn’t dig deep enough to allow the film to stand out from the crowd.

At the end of the day, Let Him Go may not live up to its exhilarating premise, but it is still a impressive thriller in its own right featuring two very strong lead performances.

still courtesy of Focus Features

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Tristan French