Directed by Kevin Lewis and written by Lacy McClory, Misdirection (2026) is a contemporary thriller produced by Ollywood Media, Beno Film, and sDas Films. The film stars a seasoned trio: Olga Kurylenko as Sara Black, Frank Grillo as David Blume, and Oliver Trevena as Jason Wright. The premise centers on a criminal couple, Sara and Jason, who are attempting to pull off one final, lucrative burglary before retiring from their life of crime. Their target is the opulent, modernist home of David Blume, a high-profile defense attorney with alleged ties to organized crime. However, the plan falls apart when Blume returns home unexpectedly, sparking a psychological and physical battle of wits within the confines of his glass-walled mansion.
Released on February 10, 2026, by Cineverse Entertainment, the film arrives with some anticipation due to Kevin Lewis’s previous work and the reliable screen presence of its leads. For fans of contained thrillers that prioritize atmosphere and performance over large-scale spectacle, Misdirection offers a familiar but professionally crafted exercise in tension.
Story and Screenplay: A Familiar Heist That Pivots Into A Cloudy Game Of Vengeance And Deception
The narrative structure of Misdirection adheres closely to the established "one last job" trope, a cornerstone of the heist genre. Sara and Jason are depicted as a high-class thieving duo who pride themselves on meticulous research and planning. Their goal is to raid Blume's safe and his extensive collection of luxury watches while he is purportedly away at a charity fundraiser. This initial setup is functional, if somewhat clichéd, serving as the foundation for the chaos that ensues once Blume arrives home early.
As the plot progresses, the screenplay by Lacy McClory attempts to subvert expectations by shifting from a straightforward home-invasion story into a revenge-driven thriller. The "misdirection" of the title refers to the shifting allegiances and the revelation that Sara’s motivations for choosing Blume as a target may be more personal than Jason realized. This pivot adds a layer of complexity to the proceedings, as the audience is forced to question who the actual "villain" of the piece is. Is it the invading couple, or is it the attorney whose own unsavory secrets begin to surface under duress?.
However, the execution of these narrative turns often lacks the necessary foreshadowing to make the reveals feel earned. Instead of building a sense of dawning realization, the script frequently relies on characters stating that things are not as they seem without providing the visual or thematic clues to support those claims. Furthermore, the pacing is notably inconsistent. While the film boasts a relatively lean 84-minute runtime, it often feels longer due to the inclusion of filler scenes. Moments dedicated to menial tasks, such as cleaning up a crime scene, occupy significant screen time without moving the plot or character development forward. Consequently, the tension that builds in the first act often dissipates by the midway point, leaving the film to coast on the charisma of its performers until the violent conclusion.
Acting and Characters: A Tense Triangle Of Power Anchored By Veteran Screen Presence
The film’s greatest asset is its central cast, whose experience elevates the material from standard B-movie fare. Frank Grillo delivers a characteristically intense performance as David Blume. Despite being physically restrained for much of the film, Grillo uses his verbal precision and "coiled intensity" to remain a formidable presence. He downplays his typical "tough guy" persona to portray a man who is as much a manipulator as he is a victim, using psychological tactics to sow discord between his captors.
Olga Kurylenko provides a solid anchor as Sara Black. She effectively portrays a woman caught between her romantic loyalty to Jason and a hidden, burning desire for retribution. Kurylenko’s performance is notable for its lack of protective artifice, allowing the character's resolve and vulnerability to be visible in her expressions during the film’s more intimate moments. The scenes where Kurylenko and Grillo spar directly are easily the most engaging parts of the movie, as they play off each other’s energy with professional ease.
Oliver Trevena has a more difficult task as Jason Wright. While he successfully conveys a sense of wounded pride and unpredictability, some might find his characterization less compelling than his counterparts. The chemistry between the three leads is functional, but the writing often leaves them feeling like puppets of the plot rather than fully realized individuals. Because the characters are not deeply explored beyond their immediate archetypes, it can be difficult for the audience to fully invest in their ultimate fates, which weakens the emotional impact of the film's climax.
Direction and Technical Aspects: Leveraging Modernist Architecture To Create Visual Paranoia
Director Kevin Lewis takes a distinct approach to the visual storytelling in Misdirection, utilizing the primary location as an active participant in the narrative. The modern glass house where the action unfolds is designed to be a space of transparency, yet Lewis and cinematographer Matti Eerikainen weaponize this architecture to create a sense of paranoia. The use of glass, marble, and open space results in a visual grammar defined by reflections and distorted images.
The camera work often focuses on reflections in the marble flooring to capture movement or blood before the characters themselves process what is happening. This visual strategy reinforces the theme that "nothing stays hidden for long" in such an environment. Lewis also makes effective use of handheld camerawork, which adds a layer of instability and immediacy to the scenes. This style allows for low-gliding shots and tight framing that pin characters against the glass, making the expansive house feel increasingly claustrophobic as the secrets come to light.
The production design is slick and modern, contributing to the "neo-noir" atmosphere. However, the lighting in several sequences is notably dark, which can make it difficult to follow the action during the more chaotic moments. The editing by Ryan Liebert helps structure the film as a deliberate "tightening of the screws," using repeated inserts of a digital clock to emphasize the narrowing options for the characters. While Lewis demonstrates a clear vision for the film’s aesthetic, some may feel that the focus on visual style occasionally comes at the expense of crafting genuine, sustained tension in the script.
Trailer Misdirection (2026)
Music and Atmosphere: Synthetic Soundscapes And Low Light Moods
The atmosphere of Misdirection is significantly enhanced by its auditory elements. The soundtrack, composed by the Moxy Brothers, features an experimental, old-fashioned synth score that draws comparisons to the work of Tangerine Dream. This music blankets the film in an ambient, cerebral mood that matches the dark, reflective visual style. While the score can become repetitive, it creates a unique tonal identity for the film that sets it apart from more traditional crime thrillers.
Sound design also plays a crucial role in the final act. The layering of ambient noise, reverberation, and sudden silence is used to mirror the characters’ unraveling mental states as the night reaches its conclusion. This focus on audio detail helps to sustain interest during scenes where the narrative momentum begins to flag. Overall, the combination of the synthetic score and the disorienting soundscapes works effectively to build a mood of persistent anxiety, even when the plot itself feels familiar.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What works well:
- Strong Lead Performances: Olga Kurylenko and Frank Grillo bring gravity and charisma to their roles, making their face-offs the highlight of the film.
- Visual Grammar: The creative use of the "glass house" setting, particularly the reflections and handheld camerawork, creates a stylish and paranoid atmosphere.
- Atmospheric Score: The Moxy Brothers’ synth-heavy soundtrack effectively builds a unique mood that complements the neo-noir aesthetic.
- Contained Scope: The film’s focus on a single location and a small cast allows for a concentrated, performance-driven experience.
What doesn't work:
- Derivative Script: The "final job" and "vengeance" plot points are heavily clichéd and offer little in the way of true innovation.
- Pacing Issues: Despite its short runtime, the film contains unnecessary filler scenes and loses momentum in the middle act.
- Weak Characterization: The central players are not deeply explored, making it difficult for the audience to form an emotional connection or care about their outcomes.
- Dark Cinematography: Certain scenes are lit so poorly that the visual clarity is compromised, hindering the viewer's ability to see important details.
Final Verdict: Style Over Substance In A Contained Battle Of Wits
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Misdirection is a film that functions best as a stylistic exercise. It is a well-shot, professionally acted thriller that manages to be passably engaging thanks to the formidable screen presence of Olga Kurylenko and Frank Grillo. The visual exploration of the glass house and the atmospheric synth score provide a polish that many low-budget thrillers lack.
However, the movie is ultimately held back by its inability to move beyond genre tropes. The script’s attempts at twists often lack the necessary groundwork, and the "soulless" nature of the characters prevents the story from reaching its full emotional potential. While director Kevin Lewis succeeds in creating a tense environment, the narrative often feels like it is stalling rather than progressing toward a meaningful end.
This film is likely to appeal to viewers who enjoy contained, performance-heavy thrillers or those who are dedicated fans of Kurylenko and Grillo's work. It is a decent choice for a casual night in, particularly for those looking for a "fun rollercoaster ride" that doesn't require deep intellectual investment. Conversely, seasoned fans of the thriller genre who are looking for innovative plotting, deep character studies, or Hitchcockian levels of suspense may find themselves underwhelmed by the predictable nature of the deceptions. It is a movie that goes down easily enough but is just as easily forgotten once the credits roll.
 Movie Review: A Glossy Glass-House Thriller That Spars With Style But Ultimately Struggles To Land A Knockout Punch){kind=link}
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