Triangle (2009)

 

Triangle (2009)

 

6/10

Starring

Melissa George

Michael Dorman

Rachael Carpani

Henry Nixon

Directed by Christopher Smith

It had a false start, making me think I was in for a long, drawn-out journey to uncover the loop. But before I knew it, the lead, Jess (Melissa George), started experiencing déjà vu. Triangle is a fun movie to watch, with a thrilling and mysterious story that leaves you wondering where it all began and how it’s ever going to end.

The movie feels like we’re watching the middle of a long, ongoing loop that intertwines in unexpected ways. Each time Jess tries to get a grip on the situation, it seems to slip through her fingers at the most awkward moments. She repeatedly runs into herself, and we watch her struggle as she tries to get ahead of events she already knows are coming. This is where the director showcases their mastery—allowing Jess to encounter herself multiple times without making it creepy every time. The only moment that felt a bit silly was when she led a couple to a room; it seemed like the director lost the reins there.

The plot introduces us to Jess, a mother struggling to care for her autistic son. She seems to be at her wit’s end managing him. We then skip ahead to see her boarding a boat with her friends for a day of sailing. When asked about her son, she responds that he’s in school—in a tone that comes across as slightly unsettling.

 

While sailing, the group gets caught in a storm that capsizes their boat. Stranded, they spot a massive ship passing by and manage to climb aboard. At first, the ship seems completely deserted, but Jess begins to experience déjà vu, sensing that something is very wrong.

Soon, we all start to feel it too. This enormous ship, which initially appears empty, suddenly becomes the site of terrifying events. One by one, Jess’s friends are picked off by a lone shooter. Jess eventually discovers the shocking truth—the shooter is herself. Now, she’s pitted against her own actions, trying to stop the chaos while realizing she’s stuck in a time loop that she must somehow break.

The movie presents many potential ways for things to unfold. But just when it seems like a new path is forming, we see signs that it has already been crossed before. The film boasts a significant budget, evident in its production quality, though this didn’t translate into box office success. One downside is the pacing of the loops; there were moments when I felt bored and wished things would move along more quickly.

Triangle ends well for some viewers, but for me, it left something to be desired. I prefer stories that have a more definitive conclusion, and the ending here felt lacking. That said, it’s a solid movie with a fantastic use of the time loop concept and wonderful directing. Definitely worth a watch if you enjoy mysterious, thought-provoking thrillers.