to describe "Don't Tell a Soul" as a story of toxic masculinity is both accurate but, in a time when every film with a flawed or unpleasant male an/protagonist gets that tag, almost glib
increasingly ridiculous plot twists as the movie progresses, eventually losing sight of the engaging initial premise. But the performances are strong; and the pacing is lively enough that the absurdities only fully register once the movie is over
as lean and mean as they come, this sharp, emotional thriller is centered on just four characters and a couple of spare locations, and yet it wryly uncoils a surprising number of shocks and layers; An impressive directing debut by Alex McAulay
a plot twist saves "Don't Tell a Soul" from being absolutely oppressive, merely by injecting a scintilla of "what happens next" appeal -- and letting the always-interesting Rainn Wilson stretch a bit