Greta (2019)

Greta is the kind of sleek, slightly wicked thriller that knows exactly how to turn an everyday act of kindness into a slow, tightening vise—and it’s all powered by Isabelle Huppert having a deliciously unhinged time. Neil Jordan stages New York like a chilly labyrinth of chance encounters and bad instincts, letting suspense build with an old-school patience before the movie gleefully leans into its own pulpy, demented fun. Chloë Grace Moretz grounds the film with relatable unease, while the tone flirts with camp in a way that makes the shocks feel both nasty and perversely entertaining. It’s not for the squeamish—there’s some nasty, bloody violence—but if you like twisty, stylish thrillers with a villain you can’t look away from, this one is a blast.

Greta wants to be a sleek, old-school stalker thriller about loneliness curdling into obsession, and you can feel Neil Jordan aiming for classy suspense with a wicked edge. The problem is the script leans on coincidences and familiar beats so hard that the tension often turns into “wait, would anyone actually do that?” rather than genuine dread, and the pacing can sag between big moments. Isabelle Huppert is the clear reason to watch—she’s deliciously unsettling and commits fully, even when the movie can’t decide if it wants to be serious or knowingly camp. If you like grounded, tightly plotted thrillers, this may test your patience, but if you’re up for a pulpy, slightly silly cat-and-mouse ride carried by a great villain performance, it can still be a decent one-night watch.