Plot: A woman’s life is turned upside-down when a dangerous man gets hold of her lost cell phone and uses it to track her every move.
Runtime: 1 Hour 57 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Unlocked starts when a young woman Lee Na-Mi (Woo-hee) drops her phone on the bus. Unaware, in a drunken state, she returns home. The next morning Oh Joon-yeong (Si-wan) connects to Lee Na-mi about finding the phone, with an A.I. female voice.
When Lee Na-mi gets her phone back, she doesn’t think much as changed and looks to get along with her life. however, Oh Joon-yeong has cloned the phone and starts following her every move.
Verdict on Unlocked
Unlocked is a mystery thriller following a young woman who finds her life turned upside down when a dangerous man hacks her phone. He starts following her every movement and sabotaging her life. However, things start to become dangerous as the police start discovering a series of dead bodies, that are connected to the man.
This thriller shows the dangers of letting someone get a hold of your phone. Even if it is an accident, things end up in the wrong hands. It brings a slow dangerous stalker figure to life, showing how easily they can get into someone’s life. The suspense is strong even if the detective side of the story can take away from the bigger part of the movie. Whenever we stick with the main two people, we find the intensity and disturbing side of the story shining through.
Plot: A recently retired English professor discovers a real knack for investigation and cannot help but interfere with the cases assigned to her police detective son.
Runtime: 48 Minute Episodes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict onHarry Wild Series 2
Silence Dogood Did Bad (D. Robert Quinn)
Silence Dogood Did Bad starts when Harry’s (Seymour) ex is murdered. Elsewhere, Fergus (Nedd) struggles to reconnect with his mother who left him when he was young. The two look to investigate the murder and she ends up finding a more disturbing truth about who was behind the murder.
This is the return for the series as Harry finds the latest case hitting closer to home. Despite getting close to her son’s job she teams up with Fergus to get to the bottom of a cop’s death. It shows the dynamic continues to follow a trend, as the employed cops don’t like rookie detectives solving the crimes. The humour works and we are prepared for what the unlikely pair will get up to next. (3/5)
The Village Has Eyes (D. Robert Quinn)
The Village Has Eyes starts when a local woman goes missing. She has been writing about the devil and Harry and Fergus are called to investigate it. However, another dead body leads them down a dangerous path of devil worshippers.
This mystery takes the detective duo to a remote Irish village for their latest case. It has plenty of mystery about what is happening and plays into the concept of devil worshippers. This plays into the strengths of both of the detectives and proves their knowledge can solve the problems. It is a nicely put-together mystery and has plenty of twists. (3/5)
A Botox A Day Keeps the Mortician in Pay (D. Robert Quinn)
A Botox A Day Keeps the Mortician in Pay starts when a member of a hen party dies. Harry and Fergus are called in to investigate, which sees them getting to know other hens and the staff at the salon. However, Fergus must learn quickly how toxic a group of friends can prepare for a wedding.
This mystery deals with the drama of hen-does and the chaos surrounding them. It is filled with drama around the relationships. While also putting even more focus on Fergus reconnecting with his mother. It has less intense mystery, but the family rebuilding scenario takes over this episode for the better. (3/5)
Orla Wild’s Wicked Wicked Ways (D. Robert Quinn)
Orla Wild’s Wicked Wicked Ways starts when a former flame of Orla’s arrives in town. She reluctantly turns to her mother-in-law Harry to help him, as he has a hitman chasing him down. It takes things down a much deadlier path than any previous case.
This episode easily has the most intense crime to be solved. While part of the crime has happened, the threat is still around and could affect loved ones. We dive into more organised crime, which offers plenty of mystery and insight into people’s past. (4/5)
Professor Wild in the Library with the Revolver (D. Robert Quinn)
Professor Wild in the Library with the Revolver when Harry, Fergus and Lola attend a murder mystery weekend. However, they find themselves needing to solve a real murder when the chef is found dead. They must put their detective caps on to solve the case when it turns out nearly everyone has a reason to target the victim.
This episode lets everyone play with the murder mystery turned real concept. It is one of the most interesting concepts and gets to see how everyone there has the potential of different personalities. This is a fun mystery and welcomes the idea of almost anyone having a secret leading to twists unfolding. (4/5)
He Could’ve Been a Contender Until They Chopped His Arms Off (D. Robert Quinn)
He Could’ve Been a Contender Until They Chopped His Arms Off starts when Fergus’s boxing trainer is found dismembered around the countryside. The killer throws the body parts around the countryside and Fergus turns to Harry to investigate the crime. It follows them going undercover in the gym and learning more about the problems it was facing.
This episode brings things back closer to home for Fergus. It gets to have more of a laugh between the pair, while a more serious situation is unfolding. There is an idea of corruption going on within the gym that could give out more questions than answers. It is a nice conclusion and Fergus’s side of the story has an interesting situation to deal with. (3/5)
Overall
Harry Wild Series 2 brings the detective and her apprentice back together for a new series of crimes. The crimes have a nice mix of everything going on and Fergus has an interesting side story running throughout the series. His reconnection with his estranged mother has plenty of problems going on. However, we learn nothing about Harry, she comes to the crime scene and has nothing told about her personal life. It makes her feel empty when it comes to dealing with the situation. At least Fergus has plenty going on for a teenager in this business town.
Outside of this, we get a nice entertaining series of crimes to be solved. We have a mix of unusual characters without any of the crimes becoming as intense as they could. The series struggles to do enough to make the real detectives feel annoyed, like most of the others in the similar situation. For a relaxing series of crimes, it works well for a chilled evening of mystery-solving.
Where to Watch
Harry Wild Series 2 is available from 13th of May 2024
Final Thoughts – Harry Wild Series 2 is a relaxing series of mysteries.
Plot: Follows a hustler and his rise to the top of the corruption that surrounded the real estate bubble after the arrival of the euro in Spain.
Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: The Courier starts as we meet small-time hustler Ivan Marquez (Piper). He was born without very much, doesn’t have many skills but has a desire to make big money. One day, he risks himself to take a role for a real estate mogul who sees money swapping hands.
Ivan starts transferring money between countries, taking advantage of the newly created Euro. He makes connections through different countries and becomes ruthless in conducting his business.
Verdict onThe Courier
The Courier is a thriller following a young man who decides to jump into business with crooked real estate agents to make a fortune. He transports money across Europe taking advantage of the new Euro causing problems. However, he soon learns not to mess with everyone involved as his life spirals out of control.
This movie uses the financial instability of the introduction of the Euro to show how people took advantage of it. It goes down a typical path of someone rising up but getting out of control. He spends more time partying than doing whatever the job is meant to be. This offers very little in terms of story and is more interested in the flashy concept of what happened and leaves things feeling empty by the end. The biggest weakness is focusing so heavily on glamorising the criminal lifestyle.
Where to Watch
The Courier (El correo) is available on Netflix now.
Final Thoughts – The Courier is an empty-feeling thriller.
Plot: Pipa begins her career as a police detective alongside her mentor, the controversial detective Francisco Juánez. Together they must solve the violent murder of a 19-year-old girl.
Runtime: 1 Hour 56 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Intuition starts when a gang land murder happens, while another teenage girl is violently murdered. Rookie detective Pipa Pelari (Lopilato) joins her mentor Francisco Juanez (Furriel) on the case. However, Francisco’s reputation proceeds him, being known as a controversial figure in the force.
The pair must work together to understand the world the victim was in. Meanwhile, a local gang has targeted Francisco believing he has been targeting them and killing members off the books.
Verdict onIntuition
Intuition is a mystery thriller following a rookie detective on her first case teaming up with a controversial detective. She must figure out who killed a teenage girl, while a gang is searching for revenge when one of their own is murdered.
This is an interesting mystery that is filled with plenty of twists and turns. However, the gang crime feels out of place on the side story, as it takes over part of the more complex case. The weird thing about this movie, is that it feels like like a season opener of a television show. This is because we get two stories going on, that aren’t connected, but show the bigger position of the characters involved.
Where to Watch
The movie is available to watch on Netflix now.
Final Thoughts – Intuition feels more like an early pilot episode for a bigger mystery series.
Plot: The International Unit and The Domestic Unit of the Korean Spy Agency are tasked with the mission of uncovering a North Korean Spy known as Donglim who is deeply embedded within their agency.
Plot: Fatherless and raised by his grandmother, thirteen year old Ricardo Galam lives in South Africa’s Cape Flats. A unique and volatile sub culture dominated by two Number gangs, the 26 and 28. Ricardo’s future as a chess prodigy is threatened by his growing interest in the 26 whose local leader is grooming him as a potential member. Unknown to Ricardo, the father he’s never known has been released from prison. Farakhan, a reformed general in the 28, is back in his old neighbourhood, an intruder in 26 territory. In a story that is at times raw and violent at other times touching and true.
Plot: In 2006, a group of thieves performed what is considered one of the most famous and smart bank heists in the history of Argentina when they rob the Banco Río branch in Acassuso.
Plot: The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was sentenced to death in Texas for killing his three children even after scientific evidence and expert testimony bolstered his claims of innocence.
Runtime: 2 Hours 7 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Trial by Fire starts when Todd (O’Connell) sees his children killed in a house fire. The investigation shows evidence of arson and Todd is the only one around and has a reputation for violence, he becomes the prime suspect. His trial is quick, and he is sentenced to the death penalty.
Todd maintains his innocence and decides to use his time to find a new lawyer. He eventually gets in contact with Elizabeth (Dern) as one last attempt to get a new trial and prove his innocence.
Verdict on Trial by Fire
Trial by Fire is a drama thriller following a man facing the death penalty for murdering his children. While the case looks like he was behind it, the lack of a fair trial leads to a last-minute attempt to clear his name. However, everyone involved in the case believes he was guilty and the race against time is taking its toll.
This is a thriller based on the real story of a man battling to prove his innocence. It shows how easily a courtroom can be swayed into believing a story and not everyone involved in the case does the right thing. The performances are strong throughout the movie, as we see just how far the case spun out of control and the years of battle for the truth. Even if the story is more about how the death penalty is seen without support.
Plot: Two brothers commit a robbery out of desperation. However, when it all goes wrong they decide to steal an ambulance, but they soon realize that they are not alone.
Runtime: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Ambulancen starts when Tim (Henriksen) and Frank (Larsen) rob a bank. In their attempts to escape, they steal an ambulance. However, they learn they aren’t alone as paramedic Julie (Fagralid) is treating a patient in the back.
The pair can’t simply give up and end up taking the pair with them in their desperate attempt to escape the police. However, not everything goes to plan and the three must figure out what to do to make it out alive.
Verdict onAmbulancen
Ambulancen is an action thriller which famously got remade by Michael Bay. It follows a couple of thieves who hijack an ambulance in an attempt to escape. However, they are not aware of a paramedic on board and must figure out how to elude the law and keep the patient alive.
This is a simple and effective thriller using the high-speed escape to the law. It delivers the moral dilemma of what to do with the patient and keeps us on edge as to what will happen. However, you can see why it needed an update in recent years. It doesn’t have the same level of intensity as the remake and ends up becoming a typical entertaining late-night action movie.
