Capsule reviews for Dec. 2

The Eyes of My Mother

There’s plenty of creepy imagery and unsettling twists in this black-and-white exercise in Gothic horror from rookie director Nicolas Pesce, even if it doesn’t add up to much. It centers on a troubled young woman (Kika Magalhaes) still reeling from her mother’s murder after an attack inside their rural farmhouse. She methodically embarks on a pattern of sadistic violence in retaliation that turns the house into a torture chamber. While the deliberately paced film subverts genre expectations with some stylish visual flourishes, any deeper meaning behind the nonchalant gore and the psychological effects on its protagonist remain muddled. There’s minimal suspense or rooting interest. (Rated R, 76 minutes).

Man Down

It’s supposed to be a compassionate examination of the devastating effects of military post-traumatic stress disorder, but this heavy-handed drama from director Dito Montiel (Fighting) is more exploitative than insightful. It chronicles the psychological trauma of a Marine (Shia LaBeouf) after an incident in Afghanistan involving his best friend (Jai Courtney) that also has ramifications for his wife (Kate Mara) and young son back home. The film’s jumbled narrative structure — much of the story is told in flashbacks and in a hazy post-apocalyptic future — drains much of the suspense, while the manipulative twists lack subtlety and surprise. The ill-conceived result lacks coherence and emotional resonance. (Rated R, 92 minutes).

Pet

The frustrations of unrequited love lead to disturbing consequences in this silly low-budget thriller about an employee (Dominic Monaghan) at an animal shelter whose obsession with an alluring waitress (Ksenia Solo) leads to him kidnapping the woman and imprisoning her in a dog cage alongside his canine companions. That’s when she begins a psychological game to win her freedom. The resulting power struggle between hostage and captor manages some tense moments, and both lead performances bring more depth to the material than the script warrants. Yet the film doesn’t get under the skin as intended, in part because of the obvious way the scheme unravels. (Rated R, 94 minutes).

Run the Tide

This drama of redemption and reconciliation within a fractured family takes a familiar path as it hits the road with Rey (Taylor Lautner), a New Mexico grocery clerk feeling plenty of animosity toward his single mother (Constance Zimmer), who’s been locked up on drug charges. When she’s due for release, Rey still resents having to put his dreams on hold to raise his half-brother (Nico Christou), so he basically kidnaps the youngster and heads for the coast to avoid a reunion out of spite. While the underlying lessons learned about family might be heartfelt, the film’s earnest predictability cancels out most of the credibility. (Rated PG-13, 96 minutes).

Things to Come

Isabelle Huppert (Elle) shines as a woman enduring a midlife crisis in this perceptive character study from director Mia Hansen-Love (Eden). Huppert plays a Parisian philosophy teacher forced to navigate a crumbling marriage, an overbearing mother (Edith Scob) and her cat, and a sudden loss of job security. As she reaches a low point, a former student and political activist (Roman Kolinka) reaches out to help in unexpected ways. Although the film deals with familiar themes of infidelity and shifting family dynamics, Hansen-Love’s approach feels fresh with her tender and bittersweet examination of moving forward and valuing memories, without settling for cheap sentimental payoffs. (Rated PG-13, 102 minutes).