Synopsis
After a one-night stand, a successful married man finds himself entangled and tricked in a female detective's latest investigation murder scheme.
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Cast
- Michael EalyDerrick Tyler
- Hilary SwankDetective Valerie Quinlan
- Mike ColterRafe Grimes
- Damaris LewisTracie Tyler
- Geoffrey OwensBill Cranepool
- Tyrin TurnerTyrin Abenathy
- Danny PinoCarter Heywood
- David HoflinOfficer Lowe
- Sam DalyOfficer Stallman
- Chic DanielInvestigator
Recommendations
- 75
The Film Stage
Fatale works well as an updated throwback. It’s a well-made, well-acted neo-noir absent any sort of self-seriousness or superfluous posturing. An hour-and-a-half has rarely moved faster. - 60
Los Angeles Times
While Fatale isn’t special, it’s better than most specimens of the genre due to its turns (again, I recommend skipping the trailer — which also makes it look like a differently made film, one using bolder cinematic techniques) and Swank’s exploration of her character. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
Fatale proves very watchable, in an incredulous B-movie kind of way, and Taylor is a slick enough filmmaker to keep things moving swiftly and entertainingly. The film certainly looks terrific, thanks to Dante Spinotti's glossy cinematography and the high-end production design and costuming. - 50
The A.V. Club
What keeps Fatale from really working as a noir pastiche (or, dare to dream, a Coens-esque ghoulish comedy of violently incompetent malfeasance) is its gentle, kid-gloved deference to the idea that Derrick is a good guy, rather than a weak-willed dope or even an affable bumbler in over his head. - 50
The New York Times
While this latter-day noir never builds up the froth of lurid delirium that brings genre pictures into a headier dimension, it’s got enough juice to hold your attention. - 50
Variety
The story provides basic satisfactions expected from its ilk — infidelity is punished, pure malevolent craziness likewise — even if more rotely than one might hope. Part of the reason there’s a diminished climactic payoff here is that Swank, credible enough early on, can’t quite summon the demented spark Val needs. - 40
Austin Chronicle
As improbable as Valerie’s endgame seems once revealed, it plainly demonstrates she’s nobody's chump. It’s not exactly a feminist reading, but one that gives Fatale a little backbone. - 38
Movie Nation
The David Loughery script — he wrote Ealy’s “The Intruder” — wins points for attempted twists, but frankly they don’t build suspense or deliver shocks, so what’s the point?
