Dog’s Movie House: “Come To Daddy” Twisty Little Thriller Worth Checking Out!

The film starts with Norval Greenwood (Wood) arriving at the out-of-the-way home of his estranged father Gordon (Stephen McHattie). Gordon walked out on Norval and his mother thirty years ago and this is the first time the two have met in all that time. Gordon sent Norval a letter asking him to come, but when Norval arrives Gordon won’t tell him the reason for the letter. Matters deteriorate from there when Gordon suddenly drops dead of a heart attack.

What follows is part gaslighting thriller and part crime drama with a liberal sprinkling of dark humor. What carries the film through some of its more hackneyed elements is the central performance of Woods as a gentle troubled soul driven to violence by a series of outside influences as well as his own internal issues. The tone is a little uneven at times, alternately comic and graphically violent. You’re not sure whether to laugh or to shudder, and not in a good way. Aside from that, director Ant Timpson does a pretty good job of keeping things moving along, and the house built into the cliffs near the water is a wonderful device upon which to frame some of the films set pieces. McHattie, as usual, is great in his role as Gordon, but he’s onscreen for far to brief a time. The only other actor who makes an impression is Madeleine Sami as Gladys, a compassionate morgue assistant who forms a brief bond with Norval. The violence is creative and the script (by Timpson and Tory Harvard) has enough twists to keep you invested toward the very end. If you want this type of film done a little more skillfully, check out M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Visit.” It’s loads creepier and is the proper way to do a found footage film.

Overall though, “Come To Daddy” is engaging enough to recommend. With theaters not opening for another month, this film should be one of many to tide you over until that day finally comes. 3 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!

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