The Unforgivable - A Netflix Movie Review

Never hold onto anger. Life has so much to explore than to waste on being angry.

The Unforgivable was released to Netflix in 2021. After 20 years, a woman gets out of prison. Wanting to track down her sister, Ruth first has to re-enter society following an unforgettable crime.

There has never been a film that reflected on the effects of anger like The Unforgivable. That was my main takeaway from watching this film. Not a solid film, including a couple of inconsistencies, The Unforgivable teaches viewers how to move on from the darkness in your past.

Sandra Bullock’s role as Ruth Slater is a complete contrast from the roles she is normally in. I don’t want to get in the way of Ruth Slater. She is very aggressive and makes you remember that. Wearing the weight of the world in her face, Ruth is unsure of how to fit back into the world. Bullock’s portrayal succeeds in examining that change is possible.

There are several significant characters in The Unforgivable. All of them have a different way of representing anger, guilt, or change. Viola Davis has a significant appearance. Davis and Bullock work tremendously together in a well-acted argument.

Other credits include Vincent D’Onofrio, Jon Bernthal, Richard Thomas, Linda Emond, Aisling Franclosi, Emma Nelson, Will Pullen, and Tom Guiry.

Overall, Steve (Pullen) and Keith (Guiry) didn’t feel overly necessary to the plot. While they do contribute to the effects of what anger does to someone, this film is supposed to be about Ruth and her sister.

Kate (Franciosi) needed a bigger part in the story. The writers did not pay close attention to the storyline. Since Kate was five-year-old at the time of the incident, and twenty years have gone by, why does Kate look and act much younger? She is supposed to be in her twenties and yet she is portrayed as a teenager.

And since this is supposed to be Kate’s story, Emily (Nelson) got too much attention. Her role should have been Kate’s since most of the action ends up happening to her in the climax.

Flaws in the story aside, credit goes to the editing. Flashing back and forth between past and present, the film replicates how the mind works. Most importantly, the camera does an excellent job following Ruth’s perspective. The camera flashes over everything.

Always focused on Ruth’s eyes, we get a sense of this crowded, dirty, and anxiety of her life. The setting is a crucial detail in the story, too. The busy life in New York City made you feel Ruth’s anxiety since she has been in jail for most of her life. I also noticed how the film went quiet whenever Ruth went to visit her old home.

What is forgiveness? Nora Fingscheidt closely examines this difficult word. Fingscheidt’s attention to cinematography and camera angles was achieved very well. The character development deserves a shoutout. She invested in all the characters.

You have to decide who you are going to be. Do you want to be the same? Our pasts play a crucial part in our lives. Not just you, but the people around us have an impact on you. Fingscheidt connects with viewers and how we have all dealt with anger in some aspect of our lives.

The Unforgivable was emotional. It unpacks difficult topics. The story had depth and had its unexpected moments. The pacing could have been better. Some aspects were a little repetitive.

Overall, it’s a good film that keeps your attention. Give The Unforgivable a chance on Netflix. I enjoyed the film along with the actors.