Writer: Larry Cohen (Screenplay)
Starring: Matthew Lillard, Deborah Kara Unger, Gina Holden, Serge Houde, Chiara Zanni, Michael Eklund
Plot: A screenwriting teacher is forced to live out the plot of a screenplay idea he stole from a student, who now seeks revenge.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: One Too Many Twists
Story: Messages Deleted starts by showing a daring escape only for it to turn into the story one student has for a screenplay in Joel’s (Lillard) class. Joel is a loved teacher who the class all respond to. When he gets home he has a strange message on his phone, but shrugs it off. He is a trying to come up with his own screenplay but is struggling to find inspiration. After an incident happens he starts to find himself being targeted by a killer who keeps phoning him with the latest victim leaving a message. Joel finds himself falling deeper into trouble with the law as he tries to uncover who the killer is and why he is targeting Joel.
Messages Deleted plays out almost like a satire of itself telling us what we should be expecting from the first moment right up to the final outcome. It repeatedly tells us it’s not a movie its real life. Saying this, the thriller side of the story works really well it keeps you guessing about what happens next. It does end up trying to throw a few twists in and granted some work well but it does uses too many by the end of the film. (6/10)
Actor Review
Matthew Lillard: Joel Brandt a screenplay writer and teacher that is trying to find his inspiration while struggling with everything in his life. When a killer targets him putting him through a game he was not ready for. Matthew gives a good lead performance putting the panic in everything he does. (7/10)
Deborah Kara Unger: Det. Lavery the lead detective trying to solve the murders that keep happening around Joel, she is very cold and keeps her job her main focus. Deborah gives an average performance mainly because her character doesn’t seem to have much of a clue. (5/10)
Gina Holden: Millie a student in the class who has a lot to live up too while Joel tries to push her to her full potential. She does become the friend Joel turns to for help. Gina gives a solid performance but never convinces. (5/10)
Support Cast: Messages Deleted only has a small supporting cast with the dialog seemingly only coming from a few that don’t help the story too much.
Director Review: Rob Cowan – Rob does a solid job directing keeping the thrill level up but tries too hard to be different. (6/10)
Mystery: Messages Deleted creates a good mystery to what is going on to the protagonist. (8/10)
Thriller: Messages Deleted is keeps us guessing to what is going on keeping the thrill levels up. (8/10)
Settings: Messages Deleted uses certain settings that all create a real locations for the protagonist to be in but all of them come off very clichéd. (5/10)
Suggestion: Messages Deleted is one to try for all the mystery fans out there. (Try It)
Best Part of Messages Deleted: Lillard’s performance comes off well.
Worst Part of Messages Deleted: Too many twists.
What Could Have Been Better? – Not having the extra twist because it kind of ruins the whole film.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes
Overall: Clichéd thriller
Rating