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No Good Deed

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Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson in No Good Deed (Facebook)
Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson in No Good Deed (Facebook)
What's it about:

Terri is a devoted wife and mother of two, living an ideal suburban life in Atlanta, when Colin, a charming but dangerous escaped convict, shows up at her door claiming car trouble. Terri offers him the use of her phone, but soon learns that no good deed goes unpunished as she finds herself fighting for survival when he invades her home and terrorises her family.

What we thought:

If you’re reading this review you’ve probably watched the trailer and you’re mildly interested even if at this point it looks like any other thriller where a woman lets a total stranger into her house. Like me you’re probably thinking, ‘who even does that in 2014’, right?!

And yes, while some things are predictable this thriller will keep you at the edge of your seat biting your nails. You want to see what happens but you also don’t want to see what happens.

In the opening scenes we meet Colin Evans (Idris Elba), a prisoner who is serving five years for killing a man and he is also suspected of killing five women. He’s at a parole hearing and after pleading his case he is denied parole when a member of the board speaks against him. He escapes and after a car accident finds himself knocking on the door of Terri Granger (Taraji P. Henson), a prosecutor turned stay-at-home mom whose husband has left her alone on the night of a terrible storm. I know. I know. Cliché much?

He turns on the charm and Terri who is starved of adult conversation and male attention falls for it. As the audience you already know what this guy is about, you’re just waiting for the penny to drop, but despite her lapse of judgement she’s a smart woman. And when she finally figures it all out, you’re rooting for her.

What makes this somewhat predictable story entertaining to watch are the two stars. Elba and Henson are a thrill to watch.

The last movie I saw Elba in was Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and this character is so far removed. He really scared me! He embodied the character so well. In the opening scenes he was described as a ‘charming, malignant, narcissist.’ Elba did an amazing job. He is deliciously evil!

Henson on the other hand is nothing like the typical screaming, crying female leads usually portrayed in these types of thrillers. She fights back. She’s feisty, she’s smart and she can throw a mean punch. She’s a lioness protecting her cubs and she would go to any length.  

This is a pretty decent thriller that brings on the suspense through the cat and mouse game between the two leads. By the time the plot twist hits you’ll give it a slow clap even though at this point you’ve probably figured it out. If you’re in the mood for a cheap thrill then go watch this even if it is only for Elba’s superb acting.
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