Vanished Into the Night Review: The Italian Mystery Thriller is a Big Disappointment

Vanished Into the Night Review | Leisurebyte

Director: Renato De Maria

Date Created: 2024-07-11 12:30

Editor's Rating:
1

Vanished Into the Night Review: Directed by Renato De Maria and written by Patxi Amezcua, Alejo Flah, Luca Infascelli, and Francesca Marciano, the Italian mystery thriller originally titled Septimo features a stellar cast including Annabelle Wallis, Riccardo Scamarcio, Massimiliano Gallo, Radu Murarasu, Bruno Ricci, Gerhard Koloneci, and Elena Riccardi, among others. This Netflix film has a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Watch the Vanished Into the Night Trailer Below

-Vanished Into the Night Review contains no spoilers-

Vanished Into the Night Review

Vanished Into the Night, an Italian mystery thriller initially captivates audiences with its promising blend of suspenseful plot, psychological twists, and a compelling race against time. However, as the story progresses into the second half, it becomes evident that the once-promising narrative turns predictable and loses its grip on intrigue, ultimately descending into boredom. Despite its intriguing premise, the film fails to deliver on its potential across various aspects, leaving viewers ultimately disappointed with the overall experience.

The film introduces us to Elena, an American psychiatrist who relocates to Puglia, Italy, driven by her love for Pietro, a man with a tumultuous past. Their idyllic plan to restore a Masseria farmhouse and convert it into a hotel is quickly shattered by the dissolution of their relationship. Following their separation, they share custody of their two children. The narrative takes a darker turn when, during a visit to the farmhouse with Pietro, the children disappear without a trace.

The inciting incident propels the plot forward as then Pietro and Elena receive a phone call demanding a ransom of €150,000 within 36 hours for the safe return of their children. This setup has all the makings of a high-stakes thriller, yet the film’s execution leaves much to be desired.

Pietro, the lead character portrayed by Ricardo, is central to the narrative’s unfolding. His character is deeply flawed, depicted as a pathological liar whose incompetence adds an unpredictable element to the story. This could have been a compelling character study, but instead, it results in a series of frustrating and unrealistic scenarios that undermine the tension the film attempts to build. Elena, played by Annabelle Wallis, is another central figure. Wallis, known for her roles in Hollywood films such as Annabelle, Malignant, The Mummy and others brings a recognisable face to the cast. However, her performance is hampered by the film’s peculiar linguistic choices.

The film’s pacing is another significant issue. For a story centred around a man racing against the clock to save his children, the narrative drags considerably. Key scenes, such as Pietro’s extended wait in a restaurant, add little to the plot and serve only to frustrate the audience. The movie struggles to maintain a consistent tone, oscillating between moments of genuine suspense and long stretches of monotony.

Character development is notably lacking in the series. The audience is provided with minimal background information about the characters, which forces them to piece together the unfolding story. While this approach could have infused an element of mystery into the narrative, it unfortunately results in a disconnect between the viewers and the characters themselves. The lack of emotional investment in the protagonists ultimately undermines the audience’s ability to deeply care about their fates, thereby diminishing the overall impact and resonance of the storytelling.

Visually, Vanished Into the Night falls short in its presentation. Despite its backdrop in the scenic region of Puglia, the cinematography struggles to showcase the area’s natural beauty. The film’s use of dark, subdued tones creates a sombre mood that, while contributing to its bleak atmosphere, does not effectively elevate the narrative. Overall, the production quality resembles that of a film intended for streaming services rather than delivering a rich cinematic experience.

The pinnacle moment of the film, typically expected to be the most thrilling in any suspenseful narrative, falls short of expectations. The revelation of the plot twist lacks the necessary punch, and the conclusion feels rushed and ultimately unsatisfying. This mundane ending leaves the audience pondering the significance of the entire cinematic journey they’ve just experienced.

Vanished Into the Night Review: Final Thoughts

Netflix’s Vanished Into the Night proves to be a missed opportunity despite occasional glimpses of intrigue and suspense that suggest its potential as a compelling thriller. Regrettably, the film is hindered by its sluggish pace, characters that are not fully developed, and a lack of cinematic finesse, all of which collectively contribute to a disappointing viewing experience. As a thriller, it fails to sustain the necessary tension and excitement, resulting in a rating of two and a half stars out of five. Viewers are left wanting the gripping, edge-of-the-seat journey promised by the premise but ultimately unfulfilled by the execution.

Italian Movie Vanished Into the Night is now streaming on Netflix.

Also Read: Kuyang Review: Thoroughly Unimpressive and Violently Cringy