Capsule reviews for Jan. 10

The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box

This low-budget adaptation of the first in a series of books by British author G.P. Taylor might be the next attempt to launch a young-adult franchise, but that idea doesn’t hold much promise after this installment. It’s set in 19th century London, where a teenager (Aneurin Barnard) sets out to find his kidnapped family and unlock the mystery behind the titular treasure that’s been hidden for centuries. The visually stylish film feels like a combination of elements from other fantasy adventures, yet turns out more muddled and convoluted than suspenseful. The talented supporting cast includes Michael Sheen, Ioan Gruffudd, Lena Headey and Sam Neill. (Rated PG, 98 minutes).

Raze

Whether it’s intended as provocation or exploitation, this low-budget thriller is more like The Hunger Games meets Fight Club, only with women in tank tops, the presence of which will likely disappoint the target audience. At any rate, it follows Sabrina (Zoe Bell), who wakes up trapped in an underground bunker with dozens of other women forced to fight each other to the death with their bare hands as part of a sadistic show for an audience of rich folks. With its plentiful fight sequences, the film favors brutal violence over any sort of social commentary, making its half-hearted stab at female empowerment feel hollow. (Not rated, 87 minutes).

The Saratov Approach

Perhaps a secular filmmaker could have done more with this harrowing true-life tale of the 1998 kidnapping of two Mormon missionaries in Russia. But this church-funded effort feels more like the latest example of preaching to the converted. In the film, Tuttle (Corbin Allred) and Propst (Maclain Nelson) are taken hostage and held for ransom by Russian criminals who obviously didn’t get the spiritual message of their captives. There’s not as much suspense as the premise suggests, thanks to a bloated middle section that’s more concerned with religious reflection than practical negotiation. The attempt to ratchet up the tension with hand-held cameras feels like a gimmick. (Rated PG-13, 101 minutes).

The Suspect

There are Hollywood influences sprinkled throughout this high-octane Korean espionage thriller, which is both a blessing and a curse. It tells the story of a North Korean agent (Gong Yoo) whose family is murdered, causing him to flee to South Korea and take a job as a driver for a powerful executive, who also is killed, but not before he is given the potential key to government secrets that could help clear his own name and exact vengeance. The convoluted plot is pretty flimsy, but the film boasts a handful of stylish action sequences from director Won Shin-yeon that keep it from becoming too tedious. (Not rated, 137 minutes).

The Truth About Emanuel

The truth isn’t as satisfying as viewers might hope in this low-budget thriller about a cynical teenager (Kaya Scodelario), struggling with her home life and feeling guilt about a tragedy in her past, who begins a babysitting job for a neighbor (Jessica Biel) hiding secrets of her own. The script by director Francesca Gregorini (Tanner Hall) has some nice twists but struggles with timing them for maximum impact. The result gets caught between an edgy dark comedy and a psychological thriller that stumbles down the stretch by turning ridiculous instead of maintaining suspense. However, Scodelario (Wuthering Heights) brings depth and sympathy to a morally conflicted character. (Not rated, 96 minutes).