Flinch

Written and directed by Cameron Van Hoy, Flinch is about Joey Doyle (Daniel Zovatto), a damn good hitman. He has been successfully working with a group of notoriously evil individuals for some time now and has been asked to complete one more, incredibly important job for them. When the hit goes awry, and Doyle begins to fall for Mia (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), who witnessed the crime, life gets far more complicated than he could imagine.

Van Hoy clearly believes that a juxtaposition of romance and death can find success, and I think he’s right. On the surface, Flinch is simply the story of a hitman who pulls off a series of jobs, falls in love, experiences a few hiccups along the way but is ultimately successful. However, I’m not entirely sure that the love story developed as smoothly and effectively as possible, as there are moments of unnatural and unwarranted progression. But seeing a hitman and a woman attached to his most recent target connect with one another is a testament to how strong and important love is to us as a society. Just the idea of potential love is enough to transform the most formidable individuals into docile creatures willing to dismiss themselves and everything they believe in. This is not always believably depicted throughout Flinch, but the sentiment survives the film’s weaknesses nonetheless, and viewers understand what Doyle is feeling.

The entire flick is dark, ominous, and creepy, providing viewers with an understanding of what is taking place in the hearts and minds of all involved in this hit gone wrong. Every moment is filled with suspense, and viewers are never entirely sure what to expect. The filmmaker regularly surprises his viewers with twist after twist, leading them down a road of pure entertainment. The movie may seem simple, but Van Hoy never relents, refusing to let viewers get comfortable and keeps them on the edge of their seats. This particular aspect alone is enough to find Flinch success, but there is far more to this film than just suspense and drama.

“…the hit goes awry, and Doyle begins to fall for Mia, who witnessed the crime…”

That is because just beneath its rough exterior is a love story for the ages. From the beginning, viewers are intertwined with the characters’ struggles, thanks to the clear chemistry between Zovatto and Cobham-Hervey. The two seem to immediately hit it off, allowing viewers to appreciate the far-fetched nature of their relationship.

In addition to these two young, talented individuals, casting director Michelle Lewitt hired the immensely funny Tom Segura to play the minor role of Ed. While his part is small, his famous face and ability to connect with the audience allow his scenes (even without the two leads) to land splendidly. The cast is a motley crew of individuals who, regardless of where they come from, are able to feed off of one another and deliver stellar performances.

The story present throughout Flinch may initially seem unnatural or downright impossible. While the writing doesn’t always support what Van Hoy has planned for the movie, the brilliance of the actors and meaningful message of love allows the film to secure itself firmly in the hearts of viewers. Van Hoy and his crew have a lot to be proud of, as Flinch is truly a group effort.