Profile – A Thin Found Footage Thriller (Early Review)

After making the festival circuit across 2018 and 2019, Profile is now upon us. Unlike many found footage films with the alleged premise of being based on a true story in order to ground it in some sort of reality, this one actually is based on a true story which helped to somewhat ground it and give it some believable stakes. Ultimately let down by a thin story and pacing issues, the film truly failed to deliver enough satisfying suspense, assuming some viewers’ knowledge of the story in which the film is based being the book “In the skin of a Jihadist” by Anna Érelle. Anchored by two strong central performances by Valene Kane and Shazad Latif, it still delivers compelling characters in spite of its lack of depth. In the end, some will surely be left wanting more as it takes far too long to get going before missing the landing by tying things up way too conveniently. With a running time of 100+ minutes, it definitely could have shaved some time off and get to its climax sooner.

As mentioned, Profile is based on a true story and a struggling British journalist named Amy (Kane) who goes undercover to infiltrate ISIS social media recruiting networks for a story, creating a fake Facebook account and a new secret identity for herself as a recent Muslim convert. Little did she know, as she got deeper into her investigation, the more dangerous it would be for her as she had to balance both of these lives while weighing them against the greater good. The longer she went, the harder it became to get out as she became increasingly entrenched with her recruiter, a man named Bilel (Latif). Because of the film’s format, it felt very intimate at times as it essentially became a series of conversations between both characters as they developed a relationship under the pretense of her recruitment into ISIS as Amy merely played along in order to collect information. Though at least was how it started as the line got blurred as Amy struggled with her feelings for Bilel and her pursuit of her story. Meanwhile, the story made for an interesting contrast in perspectives between the two.

The suspense of Profile was clearly around how long Amy could keep going without getting caught which at times wasn’t always a sure thing. If anything, the film did an admirable job at showcasing the stress and pressure Amy undoubtedly felt at times, perhaps too much, through the use of music and her erratic behavior while using her devices. Those familiar with the true story in which the film is based will more or less know how this one ends but the lack of stakes made things on the dull side once Amy and Bilel’s conversations got old and the film finally got going though by then, it was too late. The emotion was there, however, the ending fell flat and felt rushed even with all the buildup that proceeded it.

The best part of Profile was of course the strong central performances from Kane and Latif as Amy and Bilel respectively. Despite the film’s format, the two, especially the former, deliver deep performances full of nuance and charm. Amy’s internal conflict was compelling to watch but the film did not go far enough with that or the underworld she was uncovering as the story was through the lens of her relationship with Bilel which was disappointingly limiting regardless of the great chemistry of Kane and Latif. Though Bilel was a thin character who was more charm than anything else, Latif made it work while bringing plenty of charm and charisma to the role.

At the end of the day, Profile is an entertaining film that may not all work but at least has something worthwhile to say.

still courtesy of Focus Features

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.