We Don't Belong Here

We Don't Belong Here is a gripping family drama that explores how a family's secrets and lies can destroy their relationships and tear them apart. The film stars Catherine Keener as Nancy, a mother who is struggling to cope with the disappearance of her son, Max, from their affluent neighborhood.

As the film opens, we see the family in shambles, trying to come to terms with their loss while also dealing with their own demons. Nancy is detached from her husband, Paul (played by Cary Elwes), who is emotionally distant and preoccupied with work. Their daughter, Lily (Kaitlyn Dever), is battling drug addiction and has dropped out of college. And their son, who we later discover is named Truman (Anton Yelchin), is struggling with his sexual identity and has retreated into himself.

Nancy becomes increasingly desperate to find her missing son, but the police are unable to track down any leads. As she delves deeper into his disappearance, she uncovers a web of secrets that threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. The film is both a thoughtful character study of a broken family, and a mysterious thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

The film does an excellent job of exploring the themes of isolation, addiction, and mental illness. The family is unable to connect with each other, and they each use their own vices to escape their problems. Nancy drinks to numb the pain of her missing son, while Lily uses drugs to escape her reality. Truman, on the other hand, retreats further into himself until he can no longer bear the weight of his secrets.

Through their struggles, the film asks tough questions about how we deal with trauma and the consequences of keeping secrets. As the family members grapple with their demons, we see how their secrets start affecting those around them, ultimately leading to a dramatic and emotional conclusion.

The acting is superb throughout the film, with Catherine Keener delivering an outstanding performance as the mother who is struggling with her own guilt and grief. She is supported by a strong cast, including Anton Yelchin in one of his final roles before his untimely death. Yelchin is fantastic as the troubled Truman, bringing nuance and depth to the character's inner conflicts.

The film's direction is also noteworthy, with director Peer Pedersen using a non-linear narrative structure to keep the audience engaged and invested in the family's story. The film jumps back and forth in time, filling in the gaps of the family's past while also moving the story forward. The cinematography is beautiful, capturing the moody and melancholic atmosphere of the film's Pacific Northwest setting.

Overall, We Don't Belong Here is a morally ambiguous drama that deals with complex themes in a nuanced and thoughtful way. With excellent performances and a suspenseful plot, it's a must-see for fans of character-driven thrillers.