Finally on their last big job before they can retire somewhere on a beach, Sara and Jason plan to rob David Blume, a big-shot defense attorney who is absolutely flush with cash and valuables. During the break-in though, Blume returns well before he’s scheduled to and brings the motivations of everyone into question, even the thieves themselves.
Misdirection isn’t exactly a run-of-the-mill action thriller. In fact, it reminded me much more of Fede Álvarez’s Don’t Breathe. It’s a mix of tense, almost horror elements, with the cat-and-mouse energy of a heist story. As its title indicates, this film has twists and turns with its story and characters, and by the end, we’re in a very different spot both tonally and emotionally with our cast.
The performances are pretty great, despite a script that does a lot of expositing. Frank Grillo is the biggest name billed, but Olga Kurylenko really holds her own in every scene. The moments where the two of them face off are by far the most engaging and interesting moments of the film’s runtime.
While this film is ambitious, the twists and turns mostly lack the dawning realization or shock factor that we get from directors like Fincher or Nolan. There’s little to no foreshadowing for most of the reveals, beyond a character warning another that someone is “not what they seem.” It makes for a fun rollercoaster ride of a movie, but not one that will satisfy a seasoned thriller fan.
Despite all of its reveals, Misdirection is somehow still too long. Instead of foreshadowing, so much time on screen is spent on menial tasks like cleaning up a crime scene, etc. These scenes would be fine in theory if they made any bearing on the plot, but they don’t. They’re filler, and the movie is absolutely stacked with them.
The overall production design of the film is pretty slick and modern. I think in general this film is well-shot, though the lighting in some scenes is so dark it’s hard to see what’s going on. I also enjoyed the experimental soundtrack from Moxy Brothers, and even though it gets a little repetitive, overall, it creates a mood that’s unique and interesting.
In short, Misdirection is very flawed and ultimately doesn’t quite succeed as the thriller it’s trying to be. Still, those looking for an action movie with a lot of twists and turns may find it to be a very fun watch.
If Misdirection sounds like your vibe, check it out when it comes to Video-On-Demand on February 10, 2026.