I've only watched the Writer's Cut so far so I can only comment on this from that angle.
The first 30 minutes are something of a drag to watch. They aren't bad and the setup does pay off in the end. However, some of the decisions made by Mark are really questionable and make no good logical sense. Why would you not call the cops at a restaurant robbery? Why would you not call the cops right from the start when a mysterious man just showed up at your house and died in your foyer?
By the time you get to the end of the movie, all of these poor choices will make complete sense. Mark's illogical way of thinking and the ill at ease feeling you'll get from his bad choices all serve as foreshadowing for the ending.
That said, I've heard the DVD cut contains foreshadowing and that might make this plot a little more understandable from the get go. Having seen it all now, I can honestly say I do like the lack of foreshadowing. Going through it the first time, not so much. If there was some way the first 30 or so minutes of this could have been tightened up and made a little more suspenseful, it would have been perfect. This might just be one of those movies you need to watch more than once to honestly and fully appreciate without sitting there, scratching your head and going, "Huh?" at some of the choices made.
Brad and Jillian definitely steal the show here with their acting. The weakest link in the acting chain is definitely Jerrid but he doesn't have as big of a role in this film and so it isn't as much of a detriment.
The first 30 minutes are something of a drag to watch. They aren't bad and the setup does pay off in the end. However, some of the decisions made by Mark are really questionable and make no good logical sense. Why would you not call the cops at a restaurant robbery? Why would you not call the cops right from the start when a mysterious man just showed up at your house and died in your foyer?
By the time you get to the end of the movie, all of these poor choices will make complete sense. Mark's illogical way of thinking and the ill at ease feeling you'll get from his bad choices all serve as foreshadowing for the ending.
That said, I've heard the DVD cut contains foreshadowing and that might make this plot a little more understandable from the get go. Having seen it all now, I can honestly say I do like the lack of foreshadowing. Going through it the first time, not so much. If there was some way the first 30 or so minutes of this could have been tightened up and made a little more suspenseful, it would have been perfect. This might just be one of those movies you need to watch more than once to honestly and fully appreciate without sitting there, scratching your head and going, "Huh?" at some of the choices made.
Brad and Jillian definitely steal the show here with their acting. The weakest link in the acting chain is definitely Jerrid but he doesn't have as big of a role in this film and so it isn't as much of a detriment.