"Secret in Their Eyes" | Movie Review

Secret in Their Eyes (2015)

Thirteen years ago, FBI investigators Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jess (Julia Roberts) were called to a murder scene, only to find that the victim was Jess' teenage daughter. Now, after thirteen years, Ray believes he's found the murderer and wants the case reopened - they won't let him get away with it this time.

Secret in Their Eyes is based on the 2009 Spanish-language, Oscar-winning film called El Secreto de sus Ojos. The entire cast gave outstanding performances, but Chiwetel Ejiofor and Julia Roberts stole the show. The scene toward the beginning where they find Jess' daughter in a dumpster was done so well...they were both so incredibly believable in their grief and it felt so real to me. I can't rave enough about that scene, it was so emotional.

There's such a stark contrast between the Jess of thirteen years ago and the Jess of today. Julia Roberts gives a brilliant performance as a mother who's lost her child and never been able to recover any part of herself as a result. She went from a vibrant, playful woman to being a shell of herself. Roberts essentially plays two different people, which is how I would imagine many parents who have lost a child would be – there is no coming back from that completely or, for some people, at all.

The story progresses in such a way that you think you know what's coming because all roads seem to lead to one conclusion, but there are definitely some surprises along the way - there are twists at every turn.

This is a disturbing, heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat thriller. You won't see the end coming.

Secret in Their Eyes is now in theatres. Watch the trailer here: