Capsule reviews for Oct. 27

The Delinquents

Although perhaps too ambitious for its own good, this existential odyssey from Argentinian director Rodrigo Moreno (A Mysterious World) offsets its excessively deliberate pace by cleverly subverting genre conventions in exploring capitalism and freedom. It opens with a bank heist perpetrated as an inside job by an employee (Daniel Moran) who intends to hide the cash, confess and serve prison time, and then retire while enjoying his misbegotten riches. That plan starts to unravel during the investigation when he meets an alluring stranger (Margarita Molfino). Moreno’s patient screenplay tends to ramble while juggling its various subplots, but the film’s subtle twists add layers of intrigue. (Not rated, 189 minutes).

Four Daughters

Although the gimmicky structure can be overwhelming, this hybrid documentary from director Kaouther Ben Hania (The Man Who Sold His Skin) coalesces into a powerful glimpse into fractured families, societal upheaval, and processing trauma. It chronicles a family of Tunisian women in which the oldest two daughters have disappeared. So to tell their story, the filmmakers hire actresses to intermingle with the mother and two younger sisters, probing their story of resilience in the face of oppression and violence. While it starts awkwardly, the audacious concept develops emotional depth as a portrait of hope and healing amid heartbreak. It’s culturally specific but resonates across geographic boundaries. (Not rated, 107 minutes).

Suitable Flesh

Genre aficionados will appreciate the nostalgic vibe throughout this psychological thriller, directed by Joe Lynch (Mayhem) and adapted from a Lovecraft short story. Filled with steamy sex and gratuitous gore, it follows a psychiatrist (Heather Graham) who begins treating a disturbed young patient (Judah Lewis) suffering from multiple personality disorder. However, as she becomes more drawn to him, she begins suffering hallucinations that trigger a downward spiral, threating her own sanity. Not for all tastes, the film playfully embraces its cheesy absurdity and drowns itself in blood, even if its twists don’t generate the intended suspense. The cast includes Bruce Davison, Johnathon Schaech, and Barbara Crampton. (Not rated, 99 minutes).