25 reviews
I desperately wanted to like this movie only because I'm a Kilmer fan, and appreciate the efforts of veteran actors like William Sadler, but even they couldn't save this poorly written piece from rental oblivion. If this were a student film piece, this movie would certainly showcase the promise and potential of everyone involved. Even though this was made on a low budget, it's a flat-footed attempt at a thriller. This is one of Kilmer's "paycheck player" roles, and is not worth viewing if you're a fan. The younger actors are not terrible, but they don't bring much to the table, either. Use your Redbox free rental promo code for something else.
- breakadawn
- Mar 23, 2013
- Permalink
This film seems to have been given a pretty bad wrap. Even still I decided to give it a go. The story line is easy to follow and answers all the questions the movie gives you (as long as you are not expecting an insane twist.) Val, I believe, was really never given much to develop (character wise) in the film, which is disappointing. Actually, none of the characters really made you care. They really played up the American small town 'cultish' feel. Without going into any detail regarding the plot or giving any spoilers, the story progressed naturally and actually made me feel like I was watching a 'point and click adventure computer game' (which is fine for me as I enjoy them.) All in all, it was flat but I good brainless film to watch. It was enjoyable but nothing special and I am sure there is no reason to watch the movie a second time to see if anything was missed through the first viewing.
- Kenziekat669
- Nov 30, 2014
- Permalink
Entirely predictable "thriller" bout a girl who goes looking for her missing brother and finds her crazy supposedly dead, pa. You know that you're in trouble when the first shot of the town where little bro disappeared is of mute, overage children sitting in swings with that frizzy hair children of the corn, damned, whatever, always seem to wear, and they run away scared when she asks for directions. Overdramatic and Overblown, the orchestral soundtrack is inappropriate and so intrusive, like It wants to be the star. Very attractive young cast, including a young Rob Lowe look-a-like, trapped in stereotypes, which they have got down, give them that. Fat Val (Kilmer) checks in for a few minutes to pick up a paycheck How desperate must he have been? Adequately decent camerawork is why it's a 3, not 2.
Firstly, I truly find it hard to accept someone reviewing this movie and giving it a 10...wrong movie I think. I gave this movie 2 stars only because I thought the idea was good but the outcome was not so good. I believe in giving young actors a chance and I felt they tried their best in a lack lustered affair.Val Kilmer, what do I say...had about 20 lines in the whole move and was so poor maybe he should have hung his boots up after the 80's comedy, Top Secret. He just didn't want to be there, his body language was about as solid as a wet paper bag. The script had so many holes in it and the basis of the storyline was "riddled" with flaws. The filming was also very D grade. No smooth transitions, no fluency. At times the camera work was trying too hard, too hard to be shot as a blockbuster instead of just being the movie it was suppose to be. It could have been a good B grader, however in my opinion it didn't even reach the perils of an F.
While the movie starts off pretty moody (a good thing), it does turn pretty quickly and becomes pretty ugly. Side stories that seem not to matter, characters getting disposed off and a general weird feeling make this an almost uncomfortable watch. I do like Diora Baird a lot, not only because of her looks, but neither she nor the other leading female can save this film.
Val Kilmer does his thing, which means almost nothing at all. It's not the pounds he has layered upon on his body, but the fact, that it seems, he forgot how to act. Is this really the same man, that gave a phenomenal performance as Doc in Tombstone? It's hard to believe, again not only because he doesn't look like that guy anymore. But the teenage boys playing their parts in here are as bad. So many flaws in this one, I wouldn't really know where to stop. It does look good though (photography that is).
Val Kilmer does his thing, which means almost nothing at all. It's not the pounds he has layered upon on his body, but the fact, that it seems, he forgot how to act. Is this really the same man, that gave a phenomenal performance as Doc in Tombstone? It's hard to believe, again not only because he doesn't look like that guy anymore. But the teenage boys playing their parts in here are as bad. So many flaws in this one, I wouldn't really know where to stop. It does look good though (photography that is).
now riddle is a story, where the writer directer couldn't solve the riddle, worst acting, most unnatural situation, even if u think its horror flick its actually nothing but a pretty girl running here and there, a bit mysterious because its in tag, most mysterious events were dreams, not at all connected with film, any way total waste of time i joined IMDb just to tell don't watch it if u like mystery, u may consider watching the leading girl :P...i read other review and watched it, i don't know when was last time he watched a movie I'm furious with such people writing review for a film like this...try your best to avoid it
I just finished watching this and I was quite pleasantly surprised at how well done it was. Sure, both Val Kilmer and William Sadler were completely wasted and did MAYBE a DAY'S worth of work between them. But, honestly, everything about the film was solid and done with a nice slow sense of building suspense.
The one thing that I REALLY appreciated, which I feel is quite rare in these low-budget films, is that the acting was actually decent and restrained instead of amateurishly going over the top or just plain ruining it as many do. It took a little while to get going, but still overall I feel that it was well constructed. YES, the story is extremely straight forward and simple, but still done well. And, I also liked how the stronger Horror elements were done in the last act; pretty effective for what it was...
NO, they didn't give you a whole lot to go on and did not really explain very much; but, I think they gave you enough to figure out what was going on, especially in the ending credits : ) That really wasn't so much the point as just enjoying the actual outworking of the story, I would say.
So, if you are in the mood for a nice little suspenseful Thriller, you should enjoy this movie just fine. Just ignore all the petty know-it- all haters out there who expect GOD knows WHAT in their films...
I do wonder though...
... just how much DOES Val Kilmer make in these hit-and-run films that he does? Seriously, I'm DYING to know! : )
The one thing that I REALLY appreciated, which I feel is quite rare in these low-budget films, is that the acting was actually decent and restrained instead of amateurishly going over the top or just plain ruining it as many do. It took a little while to get going, but still overall I feel that it was well constructed. YES, the story is extremely straight forward and simple, but still done well. And, I also liked how the stronger Horror elements were done in the last act; pretty effective for what it was...
NO, they didn't give you a whole lot to go on and did not really explain very much; but, I think they gave you enough to figure out what was going on, especially in the ending credits : ) That really wasn't so much the point as just enjoying the actual outworking of the story, I would say.
So, if you are in the mood for a nice little suspenseful Thriller, you should enjoy this movie just fine. Just ignore all the petty know-it- all haters out there who expect GOD knows WHAT in their films...
I do wonder though...
... just how much DOES Val Kilmer make in these hit-and-run films that he does? Seriously, I'm DYING to know! : )
- lathe-of-heaven
- Jun 29, 2013
- Permalink
This movie is a utter piece of crap. I sometimes give these not well known movies a try and it sometimes turn out good. But this one is the complete opposite of that. In fact it made me angry knowing the fact that I kept thinking it was going to get better, when it's the complete opposite. And invested my time to watch the most boring movie with a script that doesn't know which direction to go. Yeah, some people say this about certain movies. But this one really didn't know which direction to go and seemed like the makers of this crap of a movie just made stuff up as they went along. The acting is bad, it isn't awful but bad. Val Kilmer is in this one as the sheriff and oh how much he has fallen. This one is his mark as a fallen actor. I don't even want to get started with the plot for this one since it's going to give me a headache. And not because the story is complicated but it just ticks me off just thinking about it. The title of this movie is "Riddle" but there isn't even a single puzzle or riddle solving in this. It's just some towns name that is it. Avoid this movie like the plague.
1/10
1/10
- KineticSeoul
- Mar 13, 2013
- Permalink
This kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the film. Beautiful shots, mysterious setting, and great acting by Val Kilmer and several lesser known folks, especially the lead. Don't watch this movie if you don't like horror films, because it will keep you up the night you watch it! Also make sure you get a good drink beforehand because with the fear you will experience it's a much more intense viewing than most so-called horror movies. A lot of movies have been filmed near this part of the country (notably Mothman Prophecies in 2001), but none of them managed to show the grit and reality as well as Riddle. I think they didn't get a wider release because Mross is a new director, but hopefully word will spread that this is a terrific film.
"Riddle" is a fun thriller that catches your attention early and keeps it throughout. Elisabeth Harnois plays Holly, a high-school girl with a younger brother who suffers from Thompson's Disease. One day, he disappears and she is, of course, devastated.
Cut to three years later. She is back from college helping out with the Farmer's Market when she becomes convinced she has seen her missing brother. She follows the trail to the town of Riddle, which just happens to be the home town of the last two boys who saw her brother. Riddle looks to be a town on the door of Hell -- completely run down and sparsely populated. The major drawing point of the town seems to be the wonder of Nature that is Diora Baird, who is the daughter the less than helpful Sheriff (Val Kilmer). But Riddle also has secrets, and they are brought out into the open as Holly continues to dig where, as she is told, she doesn't belong.
Lots of good stuff here. The story moves quickly and briskly. Even though you'll probably guess the culprit early on (I did), there's enough ancillary mystery to make that OK. The early scenes prior to young Nate's disappearance are genuinely unsettling and make a couple of characters way more complex than they have a right to in a film like this. And finally, it's not surprising that Harnois and Baird are friends in real life -- they have an easy going, natural chemistry together that really helps drive the film forward.
Nothing classic here, guys, but better than a lot and definitely worth checking out.
Cut to three years later. She is back from college helping out with the Farmer's Market when she becomes convinced she has seen her missing brother. She follows the trail to the town of Riddle, which just happens to be the home town of the last two boys who saw her brother. Riddle looks to be a town on the door of Hell -- completely run down and sparsely populated. The major drawing point of the town seems to be the wonder of Nature that is Diora Baird, who is the daughter the less than helpful Sheriff (Val Kilmer). But Riddle also has secrets, and they are brought out into the open as Holly continues to dig where, as she is told, she doesn't belong.
Lots of good stuff here. The story moves quickly and briskly. Even though you'll probably guess the culprit early on (I did), there's enough ancillary mystery to make that OK. The early scenes prior to young Nate's disappearance are genuinely unsettling and make a couple of characters way more complex than they have a right to in a film like this. And finally, it's not surprising that Harnois and Baird are friends in real life -- they have an easy going, natural chemistry together that really helps drive the film forward.
Nothing classic here, guys, but better than a lot and definitely worth checking out.
- ariesguy_08
- Feb 22, 2013
- Permalink
Started off really, really well - I was hooked and even had to pause it whilst I went away for a weewee and quick cuppa tea.
>;o)
I came back and then it just descended into trash. I wont even try to descibe the rest other than that I havent a clue how to.
Poor old Val Kilmer has hit the bargain basement bucket along with Ron Perlman, Lance Henriksen, John Cusack, Christian Slater and sadly Nicolaus Cage.
My question is really where did the $7,000,000 that it cost to make this tragedy go - I surmise Val Kilmers pocket!
Do your self a favour and bypass this one its an hour and half wasted.
I came back and then it just descended into trash. I wont even try to descibe the rest other than that I havent a clue how to.
Poor old Val Kilmer has hit the bargain basement bucket along with Ron Perlman, Lance Henriksen, John Cusack, Christian Slater and sadly Nicolaus Cage.
My question is really where did the $7,000,000 that it cost to make this tragedy go - I surmise Val Kilmers pocket!
Do your self a favour and bypass this one its an hour and half wasted.
(2013) Riddle
SUSPENSE MYSTERY THRILLER
Small town called "Riddle" which became synonymous for a missing Teller brother, ruining the entire town's reputation forever. Three years later and the family has already moved on, living on a another small town called Johnson, and while the sister's Holly Teller (Elisabeth Harnois) volunteering at the farmer's market, she managed to spot someone wearing her younger brother's runners upon her picking up some fruit from the ground. So she then decides to follows him while he was being driven away on a pick up, leading back to the small town of "Riddle" again with Val Kilmer as the town's sheriff.
Small town called "Riddle" which became synonymous for a missing Teller brother, ruining the entire town's reputation forever. Three years later and the family has already moved on, living on a another small town called Johnson, and while the sister's Holly Teller (Elisabeth Harnois) volunteering at the farmer's market, she managed to spot someone wearing her younger brother's runners upon her picking up some fruit from the ground. So she then decides to follows him while he was being driven away on a pick up, leading back to the small town of "Riddle" again with Val Kilmer as the town's sheriff.
- jordondave-28085
- Apr 19, 2023
- Permalink
This movie is a utter piece of crap. I sometimes give these not well known movies a try and it sometimes turn out good. This film I have watched many times, mainly because of the mood it creates, a time and place you want to go back and visit The only link i could get between the name of the movie, was that it happened in a village called " Riddle " This is the first time I have ever written about a movie good or bad, I felt like writing something because of the first reviewer in solvethis.net said some good things about it. I kept waiting. I guess he doesn't get out much to say anything good about this movie. Again the Acting is so poor you can tell at the beginning of the movie alone I intend on writing about movies in the future because I watch my share of them.
- bangbaronbarbar
- Sep 30, 2014
- Permalink
What a waste I kept watching just in case it got better somewhere the acting was really poor I mean put it this way if someone says hey here watch this and you are bored you have nothing to lose but the time otherwise don't buy or don't rent this completely STINKS.
This is the first time I have ever written about a movie good or bad, I felt like writing something because of the first reviewer said some good things about it. I kept waiting. I guess he doesn't get out much to say anything good about this movie. Again the Acting is so poor you can tell at the beginning of the movie alone I intend on writing about movies in the future because I watch my share of them.
This is the first time I have ever written about a movie good or bad, I felt like writing something because of the first reviewer said some good things about it. I kept waiting. I guess he doesn't get out much to say anything good about this movie. Again the Acting is so poor you can tell at the beginning of the movie alone I intend on writing about movies in the future because I watch my share of them.
- adj-699-887746
- Jun 20, 2013
- Permalink
- baunacholi-86159
- May 6, 2021
- Permalink
It starts with an excellent drama, flirts with something supernatural, skids in terror and ends with the policeman with the potential of a B movie. film, sometimes too convenient, sometimes unfortunate... Regular, but I enjoyed it...
- RosanaBotafogo
- May 23, 2020
- Permalink
This movie was an enjoyable watch even though it falls short of being a classic. The younger actors do a good job and keep the audience engaged. Val Kilmer's role is very small and rather forgettable. The last part of the movie is a fairly straightforward horror tale and not that interesting, but the first two thirds of the movie are more intriguing.
- rainerberger
- May 27, 2022
- Permalink
Riddle is a small scale film, that plays out like a film noir.It"s captivating mood is kept throughout the story. The camera work is excellent, and the actors are all in fine form. This film I have watched many times, mainly because of the mood it creates, a time and place you want to go back and visit
with multiple viewings, not many films can accomplish that.It just goes to show, you don"t need to write a blockbuster for an enjoyable movie experience.I have watched many films in my life time which spans sixty four years. One thing I have learned is to be patient with what the film makers are trying to convey, and judge it on that merit, by doing so, I have enjoyed a wide variety of cinema.By the way, Scott Glasgows music composition is very good. especially in the end credits.
with multiple viewings, not many films can accomplish that.It just goes to show, you don"t need to write a blockbuster for an enjoyable movie experience.I have watched many films in my life time which spans sixty four years. One thing I have learned is to be patient with what the film makers are trying to convey, and judge it on that merit, by doing so, I have enjoyed a wide variety of cinema.By the way, Scott Glasgows music composition is very good. especially in the end credits.
- mwmccollum49
- Sep 18, 2013
- Permalink
- haroot_azarian
- May 12, 2023
- Permalink