‘Sharp Corner’ Review: An Against-Type Ben Foster Grounds This Familiar Slow-Burn Psychological Thriller

by

Watching “Sharp Corner” directed by Jason Buxton is like observing a slow-motion car accident – there’s an unsettling sense of impending doom and a morbid curiosity that keeps you from looking away. The parallel is fitting, given the significant role car accidents play in this story about a seemingly normal suburban resident who develops an unreasonable fixation on preventing (or at least assisting) the numerous accidents occurring at the dangerous intersection near his new home. Starring Ben Foster in an unexpected role, this suspenseful drama delves into themes of domesticity and masculinity, though its elegantly crafted scenes fail to deliver a resonant impact, leaving its powerful final shot feeling somewhat empty.

The excitement of moving into a beautiful new house is the opportunity to create a home. That’s exactly what Josh and Rachel (Foster and Cobie Smulders), along with their son Max (William Kosovic), aim for when they relocate to a picturesque place outside the city. However, their initial joy quickly dissipates as a car tire smashes through one of their windows shortly after they start unpacking. It appears that the vehicle had lost control and crashed into the tree on their front lawn. At first, this seems like an isolated incident, causing panic among the family members, particularly Max. But soon, it becomes clear that this is just the beginning of a series of unfortunate events.

The title of Buxton’s work succinctly reveals that a picturesque house nestled amidst woods lies near a treacherous bend. This perilous curve, as indicated by the title, has tragically claimed lives, particularly those of intoxicated or distracted drivers during adverse weather conditions. Upon the first collision, which unfortunately took the life of a drunk driver, Rachel begins to question both her new lifestyle and their choice of home. With any sudden sound from the street potentially triggering panic, they find it challenging to bring up their child in such an unsettling environment. The initial thought is to sue and relocate immediately. However, after another accident occurs and Josh witnesses another person’s demise, the couple must confront the aftermath in distinctly varying manners.

Rachel advocates for tangible responses, with a primary emphasis on assessing the emotional repercussions of such events on their vulnerable child. However, Josh gradually becomes fixated on the idea that he might be a life-saver to anyone involved in an accident on his property. Growing restless and discontented with his urban management role, Josh is quickly engrossed by these past incidents and potential future emergencies he could potentially prevent. He delves into the stories of the victims, spending many nights on his porch, sipping beer, and watching for any approaching headlights. Over time, he even enrolls in CPR courses, preparing himself to be the hero he believes he can become. Unfortunately, his fixation escalates, and the family he’s trying to protect begins to struggle under his neglect of their needs.

In a surprising twist, Foster is known for portraying intense, often wild characters marked by their aggressive temperaments and commanding physical presence, as seen in films like “3:10 to Yuma,” “Hell or High Water,” and “Emancipation.” However, in this role, he departs from that norm, playing a timid, ordinary suburban father. With a meticulously groomed mustache, receding hairline, and a bland wardrobe of khaki chinos and sky blue button-downs, Foster submerges himself into a man who struggles to assert himself. Despite being married to a therapist, Josh seems oblivious to his emotional health, and Foster conveys this detachment through a softer voice and nervous body language. Yet, he also infuses a subtle menace into his friendly demeanor.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I found myself deeply immersed in the psychological thriller “Sharp Corner,” where the protagonist, Josh, yearns to regain control over his life that’s swiftly slipping away. While it’s Max who seems most at risk of PTSD, according to Rachel, it’s Josh whose grip on reality starts to falter as he succumbs to the demands and duties he once felt bound by. The haunting score by Stephen McKeon and sound design that emphasizes the city sounds right outside their home keep us trapped within Josh’s turbulent mind—a disquieting, confined mental landscape.

The idyllic life Josh had envisioned for himself in this house gradually slips further away as his obsession consumes his daily existence. This is not a spoiler, but rather a testament to the film’s ability to depict how one’s fixation can erode even the most perfect of lives.

In the portrayal of Buxton and Foster, Josh serves as a somber examination of modern masculinity. This story, growing more suspenseful, delves into the extreme measures taken by men with lives that are ordinary at best, to feel essential and valued. By 2025, this depiction could easily be recognized as a straightforward psychological profile of a man like Josh. This narrative, unfortunately, is a familiar wreckage (whether literal or metaphorical) that we’ve been compelled to slow down and observe, and perhaps that’s the very point. However, it ultimately falls short of the intended impact and surprise.

Read More

2025-05-09 08:25