Capsule reviews for Dec. 21

The Autopsy of Jane Doe

A creepy premise falls victim to lackluster execution in this well-acted trifle of a horror film by Norwegian director Andre Ovredal (Trollhunter). It takes place in a morgue, where an experienced coroner (Brian Cox) and his apprentice son (Emile Hirsch) are given a late-night assignment to discern the cause of death of an anonymous woman, only to later find that her body is filled with clues to a troubling life and a grisly death. While it doesn’t shy away from the requisite blood and gore, given the subject matter and the claustrophobic setting, the genre clichés and arbitrary twists diminish the suspense during the final act. (Rated R, 99 minutes).

I, Daniel Blake

A terrific performance by comedian Dave Johns, in his film debut, drives the latest gritty social-justice drama from venerable British director Ken Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty. It’s an indictment of the British welfare system as seen through the eyes of Daniel, a laborer in his late 50s who’s unable to work temporarily due to heart ailments. Yet when he applies for government assistance, he encounters only ambivalent office workers and bureaucratic red tape. While it lacks subtlety, the film captures the frustration of the working class, which is the filmmaker’s hallmark, through a character that earns our sympathy and might also share our fury. (Rated R, 100 minutes).

Julieta

Spanish auteur Pedro Almodovar once again playfully examines female emotions and relationships in his latest melodrama, this time focusing on the title character (Emma Suarez), a middle-aged woman who becomes obsessed with finding her estranged daughter. Much of the story is told in flashbacks, chronicling a younger Julieta (Adriana Ugarte) and the tragic events that led to the separation of the two women amid guilt and mental instability. Although the script could use more depth, and the ending is certain to be divisive, the performances are strong and the film steadily builds suspense. It’s a modest yet compelling look at fractured families and unresolved hostility. (Rated R, 99 minutes).