Director: Sam Miller
Writer: Aimee Lagos (Screenplay)
Starring: Idris Elba, Taraji P Henson, Leslie Bibb, Kate del Castillo, Henry Simmons, Mirage Moonschein, Kenny Alfonso
Plot: An unstable escaped convict terrorizes a woman who is alone with her two children.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: The Good, The Bad and The Deadly
Story: No Good Deed starts by introducing Colin Evans (Elba) a convicted criminal who is thought to have killed five women but with no proof he ends up only getting a manslaughter charge due to a bar fight that went wrong. Colin is up for parole after serving only half his sentence. With parole being denied Colin takes things into his own hands as he escapes his prison transport.
We move to meet our having troubles family with mother Terry (Henson) husband Jeffrey (Simmons) and young children with Jeffrey going away for the weekend and a storm approaching. Colin visits his ex-girlfriend Alexis (Castillo) to show how dangerous he really is by killing her. When Colin is involved in an accident he ends up on the doorstep of Terry where she plays good Samaritan only we all know what Colin is capable off.
No Good Deed brings us the traditional don’t let the stranger in film, we get one psychotic character meeting a good natured character and the suspense to see how she will survive because let’s face it they ain’t going to be killing her. I will say the final twist is good but otherwise it is all very similar to what we have seen before. I also think the character decisions all come off very weak because nothing makes sense.
Actor Review
Idris Elba: Colin is the convicted killer but only on manslaughter charges, he is suspected of killing at least five other women but nothing can be proven. When he escapes he goes on another killing spree where he ends up going against Terry. Idris gives us a great psycho character that works for the story showing us how far he has come since Obsessed.
Taraji P Henson: Terry is the stay at home mom after giving up her lawyer job who is spending her weekend alone with her children, her weekend gets interrupted by Colin looking for help but she will now have to fight for not only her own life but her children’s lives. Taraji does give a good performance and I can’t fault her. The character though is meant to be a lawyer but doesn’t follow criminal cases on the news especially if Colin is such a notorious criminal come on.
Leslie Bibb: Meg is a friend of Terry’s who is trying to help her unwind by having a ladies night. She asks the wrong question when she meets Colin. Leslie does a basic supporting character performance that really doesn’t do too much to the story other than push Colin too far.
Kate del Castillo: Alexis is the ex-girlfriend of Colin’s who has moved on but we get introduced to her to show how deadly Colin really is. Kate does a basic job and is only in the film to make us fear Colin more.
Support Cast: No Good Deed has a supporting cast that includes the children one being a baby of Terry’s her husband and mostly police that are disposable.
Director Review: Sam Miller – Sam doesn’t give us enough when it comes to the fully idea in the story that has plenty of moments that make you think, really did that happen?
Crime: No Good Deed brings us into a crime story following a criminal on the run who can snap and kill with a click of a fingers.
Thriller: No Good Deed tries to keep us guessing from start to finish and builds the tension between Terry and Colin which works nicely.
Settings: No Good Deed puts the action in an isolated house during a storm adds to the tension being built throughout.
Special Effects: No Good Deed doesn’t really need many special effects.
Suggestion: No Good Deed is one to try but it isn’t the most original with the the story. (Try It)
Best Part: Elba shines in the role.
Worst Part: The character Terry (not performance)
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $52.5 Million
Budget: $13.2 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes
Tagline: First he gets into your house. Then he gets into your head.
Overall: Basic thriller that brings us nothing new
Rating
