← Back to results
Deception
2008 107 min Spain, United States of America R 18+
★5.2
Thriller, Mystery
Director: Marcel Langenegger
Trailers
Description
As a corporate auditor who works in a number of different offices, Jonathan McQuarry wanders without an anchor among New York's power brokers. A chance meeting with charismatic lawyer Wyatt Bose leads to Jonathan's introduction to The List, an underground sex club. Jonathan begins an affair with a woman known only as S, who introduces Jonathan to a world of treachery and murder.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$4.6M
Worldwide:
$18.02M
Starring
Hugh Jackman
Actor
Ewan McGregor
Actor
Michelle Williams
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
Deception is widely considered a formulaic and predictable thriller that fails to capitalize on its high-profile cast. While the visual aesthetic and lead performances are frequently praised, the weak, derivative screenplay prevents the film from achieving true genre success.
| Acting | Hugh Jackman delivers a compelling and charismatic performance as a villain, effectively subverting his usual heroic screen persona. | |
| Cinematography | The film features strong cinematography, with effective use of atmospheric lighting and nightscapes that elevate the visual presentation. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is consistently criticized for being clichéd, lacking genuine tension, and relying on a predictable narrative arc. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Ewan McGregor's performance are divided; some critics appreciate his portrayal of a repressed accountant's transformation, while others find the character passive and his acting mediocre. | |
| Pacing | Views on the pacing are split: some find the first half intriguing and atmospheric, while others find the film slow, boring, or devoid of energy throughout its runtime. | |
| Ending | The film's conclusion is widely viewed as a letdown, characterized by a lack of impact and a failure to deliver the expected narrative twists. |