Film Review: Familiar Scares of ‘Greta’ Has Too Many Plot Holes

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CHICAGO – Admittedly, horror films are not my thing. I find them redundant, pandering and more reliant on gore rather than story. “Greta” is somewhat of a thriller horror film, about an older lady stalker preying on a younger New York City woman, but it had both a seen-it-before and unreliable plot.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

It is directed by Neil Jordan, of “The Crying Game” and “Michael Collins” fame, and he did precisely cast the film, which helps it. Isabelle Huppert is the creepy older lady and child-actor-in-transition Chloë Grace Moretz is the young stalkee, and they are game to deliver – but the story has the same old jump scares, a hidden room and lame motivation problems. And man, the plot holes! It’s New York City and I know that crimes are underreported, but I think if the police were involved (as they are here) addresses would be written down. But for the sake of this plot, they’re not!

Moretz is Frances, a transplant to NYC who is living with roommate Erica (Maika Monroe) in the Tribeca neighborhood (rent free! Woo-hoo!). Frances finds an expensive purse on the subway, and like a good Samaritan brings it back to the owner Greta (Isabelle Huppert). Because Frances’ mother has just passed away, she connects to the older matron in a daughter-like way, but she soon discovers that her new friend is off her rocker.

She tries to break the relationship, but Greta begins to stalk her, enough that Frances goes to the police (who legally can’t help her). The situation gets grimmer, and Greta’s secret past gives her an upper hand to continue. Frances finds that she is trapped, and it ultimately becomes a confrontation between her and the pursuer.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Greta”

I Live in NYC Rent Free! Chloë Grace Moretz in ‘Greta’
Photo credit: Focus Features

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Greta”