I have to admit, I didn't go into watching 'Fractured' with any expectations. There were a few reasons for this, the first being the lack of talk surrounding it, second, the lack of ratings/reviews online from viewers and lastly, the summary which makes it sound like a typical slasher film based on a couple whose residence is invaded by some mysterious mask figure.
I have to admit, the casting choices were odd for a film of this sort. I knew all of the cast from British TV dramas or soaps (April Pearson from Skins, Karl Davies from Emmerdale, Louisa Lytton from Eastenders and Jordan Metcalfe from Misfits) and 'Fractured' seemed very far from the acting and roles I'd known them to previously undertake. Despite all of the cast providing decent performances in the other projects I've seen them in, the acting was pretty average in 'Fractured'. Perhaps it's because I couldn't separate the actors/actresses from the previous roles I'd known them in, but none of them seemed the right fit. Although it probably didn't help that all of the characters suffered from poor characterisation and development, so there wasn't much for the cast to work with.
As I predicted, the film opens with what appears to be a young couple being played with by a mysterious figure in their country holiday cottage. However, as the plot progresses there is a twist that I didn't see coming. Unfortunately, although I admired the attempt to thwart the predictability of the film, the twist didn't have much of an impact and was rather stupid. Without giving too much away, the actions of the characters are dramatic, over the top and unbelievable. Ordinary people in real life would NOT behave the way the characters in 'Fractured' behave and it completely detracts from the entire film.
I perhaps could've accepted the characters drastic and illogical actions and behaviours IF there had been some explanation as to WHY they were that way. Unfortunately, there was little in way of substance or explanation and the result is that the whole film feels rather pointless. The ending is sudden and doesn't tie up the loose ends and I came away not really understanding what I was supposed to have taken from it.
The reason I've given it a rather average 4 star rating is because despite this, it isn't dreadful (I managed to watch it to the end and that's a positive sign since I will simply turn a film off if I'm not interested in it) and there are some redeeming qualities. The plot twist is interesting, the vibe is dark and exactly what I expect from a horror/thriller and the direction is pretty good. With a few tweaks and expansion on the characters motivations and behaviours, this could have easily earned a 6 or 7 star rating from me. Unfortunately though, this is a rather forgettable film that will undoubtedly get lost at the bottom of the horror and thriller genre with many others that fall short of doing anything remotely significant.
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