"Oxygen" can be viewed as an intersection between "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Vanishing", simple as that. In it, Maura Tierney plays the tormented detective Foster with her own complications that must investigate the kidnapping of a rich woman (Laila Robins). The mastermind behind this and also for burying the woman alive is a psychotic Harry Houdini fan named Harry (Adrien Brody) that isn't much interested in the ransom money of US$1 million he asked but he's more concerned in playing games with the cops and after meeting the female detective, you don't even have to think twice on things will go from here. In the meantime, the FBI has 24 hours to find the woman before the worst happens.
It's very well made, well acted, has its great moments (the chase in the subway is amazingly well edited, good thrills in there) but is not challengeable like the fore-mentioned classics. The resemblance is so obvious specially in presenting a female cop that needs to go to the level of the criminal, playing games that might haunt her for life - Clarice Starling, hello! This is the least of the problems. While trying to give to the audience some shocking revelations the movie failed with some inconsistencies that are so disappointing that you might feel embarrassed about it (the dog buried not barking and all happy to be in the coffin? C'mon!).
The tension works, Brody makes his scary character quite appealing and likable, at times funny and very sinister, the best in the show. Maura Tierney nicely represented someone that must forget her addictions to stay good in what she does best, to catch bad guys. The supporting cast is fine with Terry Kinney, Dylan Baker and Frankie Faison (the only actor to appear in all Hannibal Lecter films. Funny coincidence that he's also here?).
Enjoyable but a little tiresome even its short duration, good but never great. Quite a guilty pleasure. Have a fun watch. 6/10
It's very well made, well acted, has its great moments (the chase in the subway is amazingly well edited, good thrills in there) but is not challengeable like the fore-mentioned classics. The resemblance is so obvious specially in presenting a female cop that needs to go to the level of the criminal, playing games that might haunt her for life - Clarice Starling, hello! This is the least of the problems. While trying to give to the audience some shocking revelations the movie failed with some inconsistencies that are so disappointing that you might feel embarrassed about it (the dog buried not barking and all happy to be in the coffin? C'mon!).
The tension works, Brody makes his scary character quite appealing and likable, at times funny and very sinister, the best in the show. Maura Tierney nicely represented someone that must forget her addictions to stay good in what she does best, to catch bad guys. The supporting cast is fine with Terry Kinney, Dylan Baker and Frankie Faison (the only actor to appear in all Hannibal Lecter films. Funny coincidence that he's also here?).
Enjoyable but a little tiresome even its short duration, good but never great. Quite a guilty pleasure. Have a fun watch. 6/10