Strange occurrences plague a small-town detective and his family as he investigates the disappearance of a young boy.

Written by Devon Grave and directed by Adam Randall (I Boy), I See You is one clever thriller. Set against the deceptively peaceful backdrop of a small town suburb, the film all at once encompasses themes of loss and discovery by portraying the rippling effect of each characters’ actions. Through its seasoned ensemble cast, low-toned and scary musical score, and unsettling sound mixing, I See You surprises as it unfolds, utilizing the modern trappings of social media to give a fresh take on the home invasion thriller genre.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Helen Hunt, star of one of my all-time fav disaster movies, Twister (don’t judge me!), headlining this cast. The signature authenticity that she brings to her roles while being endearing and vulnerable is font and center in this film, which tosses curveballs into her precariously strung family life. Also, Ms. Erika Alexander from Living Single was a great surprise! A mite cliché to have the tough black police captain, but in the hands of this comedienne was surprisingly her Lieutenant Davis was tempered, as comedians often prove that they play serious roles as seriously as they commit to their funny roles. The film also stars Jon Tenney (2010’s Legion, Major Crimes) in another heavy and dark role as Greg the bruised patriarch of their family, Judah Lewis as their son, and Greg Alan Williams as the perhaps slightly prideful but well-meaning partner, Detective Spitsky. 

In a suburban family community, a ten-year-old boy goes disappears in the nearby woods, leaving behind evidence of the re-awakening of a local serial killer. Lead investigator, Greg Harper (Jon Tenney), who seems to have helped put the wrong guy away, takes the case, adding pressure to his already turbulent home life. His wife, Jackie (Helen Hunt), tries to make amends for her transgressions but ends up further alienating him and their teenage son, Connor (Judah Lewis). As Greg and his partner diligently search the woods in order to find the kidnapper, the killer manifests itself closer to home when unexpected — and uninvited — guests show up, resulting in the past sneaking up on the present to find closure through psychological play and violence. 

From the opening credits until the very end, I See You combines heart-stopping visuals, creepy sound mixing, and a foreboding music score to achieve a dark and layered thriller that crescendos into an unexpected and gripping finale. The movie has an excellent storyline; whereat first, it seemed like a cliché family drama with a side plot of a crime thriller, the middle of the film hits its stride as it transitions to its darker and more menacing side. I See You ends as a surprising revenge thriller, preceded by home invasion and stalking, with some mind-effery psych stuff thoughtfully placed throughout the film. Director Adam Randall provided a steady pace that never lagged, introducing plot twists in intervals and mixing filming style to make I See You into an entertaining watch.

This movie had quite a few tricks up its sleeve. It made use of differing aesthetics, had killer sound and music, from supporting to top-billed people, the cast committed to their performances, and it imbued so many genres into one intense thriller that it even fooled me into thinking it was yet another occult-movie centered around a family for a while — but it is more than that. I See You made its World Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival earlier this year and, thanks to Saban Films, will get a limited theater release on December 6, 2019. And for all of you homebody thriller-enthusiasts, I See You was also released on digital and VOD on December 6, 2019.