Windfall - A Netflix Movie Review

Aren’t you supposed to be a burglar? What burglar doesn’t know how to open a purse?

Windfall snuck onto Netflix in 2022. Breaking into a rich couple’s vacation home, a rookie burglar is caught when the couple arrives home. An interesting set of events occur when the money is delayed until the next day.

Windfall keeps you guessing until the last minute. It’s a different kind of mystery. I had the best time watching this film, both laughing and gasping. The film’s pacing lagged in some moments, but it is an on-edge thriller.

Windfall has a minimal cast. Jason Segal had the best comedic timing. As a clumsy burglar who has no idea how to do his job, one should think twice about messing with him. Segal arranged several subtle touches into his character.

I didn’t notice this detail until after my watch, but we know very little about him. There’s a reason for that. We shouldn’t connect with him. Despite his incompetence at burglary, he does have a reason behind his motivations. He’s more unnerving when you think about it.

I am so impressed with Jesse Plemons and Lily Collins. Plemons is really starting to come into his own as an actor. I like how Plemons played this character - calm, smug, and watching everything closely. And he is sarcastic beyond words. Ever think to be sarcastic with a burglar?

Lily Collins is a standout. Her performance in this film institutes that Collins can act. Briefly, I thought that her character wasn’t brandished enough until the middle half. That is the intent. Feeling like a shadow, she discovers that she can relate to the burglar. Collins is excellent in the climax, brandishing a well-acted monologue.

The interactions among the cast are the most memorable aspect of the film. Unprecedented, they have to spend an entire day together. They eat meals, try to converse, and even watch a movie together. Making their own observations, you can never assume anything about a person.

The tone of Windfall shifts. The comedy is hilariously awkward. Having to come up with different ideas for the 24-hour duration of being hunkered down with a burglar, I could feel the runtime. It struggled with the story, stumbling with the buildup. Not much happens aside from character interactions. It’s silly, but it’s fun.

Recently, I watched The One I Love directed by Charlie McDowell. McDowell has a unique direction and tone. His direction was thorough to the cast. The first ten minutes of the film are action-based. More films need to do this.

McDowell succeeded in his use of cinematography. I liked how the camera panned every inch of the location. He pinpointed objects of value. Resembling a film noir, every expression and movement is followed closely.

He overdid it with the film’s soundtrack. While it was a great ominous tone, The music was reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock film. The film itself matched Hitchcock’s tone. It was overused. A lot of scenes should have been silent, like scenes where the characters are thinking.

The film takes place in one setting. The location was fitting, taking place in a comfortable setting. I would love to stay in this vacation home with a view of the mountains and a nice pool. We get away from the house for a bit, taking a walk through a small forest.

You are in for a wild ride if you watch Windfall. Some may find it boring due to the lack of action. I was laughing and then gasping. The climax to Windfall is gripping. Find it on Netflix.