Greta, a Neil Jordan-directed drama/thriller about Frances (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young woman who befriends a lonely widow and lives to regret it, is a film I’d hoped to enjoy. 

Also starring Isabelle Huppert and Maika Monroe, the experience of watching Jordan’s movie left me wanting for a more thrilling, even, clever, better-written and structured film.

The mere idea of Greta’s lunacy proved more terrifying than what the story and acting delivered. I found Moretz’s acting to be generally quite awkward. Huppert didn’t perform terribly, but I don’t think the script’s surface-level feel helped her much either. 

The few glimmers of hope in this otherwise mostly disappointingly executed film include the clever set-up that leads to the syringe scene and the dancing that immediately follows. Reason being, this is when we get a little glimpse into the extent of Greta’s ‘crazy’, even though it’s never properly explained. The other kind of highlight is the moments in the film that play on Frances’s reality.’

Overall, besides reminding me of ‘stranger danger’, especially in a big city like New York, Greta confirmed that everyone really ought to be aware of their own vulnerabilities. Especially if people close to you haven’t helped to lovingly point them out.

Watch it, if you’re really curious.

Happy Film Loving,

G