Review: A Cure For Wellness

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The creepy resort where no one ever returns is totally safe.

Lockhart (Dane DeHaan) is an ambitious executive for a powerful company in New York. Once the big wigs get word of a hit of a scheme he pulled, he's sent off to Switzerland to retrieve his colleague who went to a wellness center and has no intention of returning after sending an ominous letter. When he gets there and meets with Dr. Volmer (Jason Isaacs) he starts to realize that what's packaged as a luxurious spa is far more than it seems. 

I feel like the filmmakers took what was actually an interesting concept and said "Make it look like Shutter Island!" It's impossible not to see the comparisons between the two. It almost seems like DeHaan was cast simply because at certain angles he looks like Leonardo DiCaprio. It's not a quick shot here or there either. Since A Cure For Wellness moves at an absolute snails pace, you're forced to contemplate the similarities more and more.

The Spa's secret ends up being a bit of a convoluted mess. Lockhart also meets a mysterious girl, Hannah (Mia Goth) who's entire arc is built up to a creepy sexual assault scene that made me think my eyes were never going to return from the back of my head. Even without them trying to be like a superior movie, it feels all the good ideas they had were wasted on the faulty structure. 

I really like DeHaan and he's the reason I went to see this, and while he gives a good performance, I can't shake the fact that he was probably cast for his looks. Jason Isaacs does the exact same thing he did in The OA earlier this year, so it's more of the same. Mia Goth is intriguing, but her role is essentially that of a mysterious object.

Recommended: No

Grade: C-

Memorable Quote: "I'm a special case." - Hannah (Mia Goth)

Comments

  1. Big Screen Small WordsFebruary 21, 2017 at 9:53 AM

    I wanted to see this for Dane DeHaan but all the marketing is putting me off. Looks like I didn't miss much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 21, 2017 at 11:51 AM

      DeHaan gives a good performance, but yeah, not worth it.

      Delete
  2. AndrewFebruary 21, 2017 at 12:19 PM

    I'm a little disappointed that A Cure for Wellness doesn't seem to pull itself off well. I was really looking forward to this because it looked really creepy and atmospheric, I think DeHaan is a terrific actor so I'm glad he gives a good performance but debating whether to watch, now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 22, 2017 at 6:42 AM

      He really does, but the script lets him down in a major way.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2017 at 1:57 PM

    I haven't seen this and not sure I will, but your Shutter Island comparison made immediate sense to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 22, 2017 at 6:42 AM

      You definitely aren't missing much if you skip it.

      Delete
  4. Candice FrederickFebruary 22, 2017 at 12:39 AM

    ughhh this is really disappointing. And yes,that pic does look like Shutter Island

    ReplyDelete
  5. s.February 22, 2017 at 2:08 PM

    Ehhhhhh...I'm still gonna see it but it's a shame the substance didn't match the style

    ReplyDelete
  6. BirgitFebruary 23, 2017 at 9:17 AM

    I don't think I will see this because it sounds a little whack-a-doodle to me.

    ReplyDelete

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