Movie Review: "Secret in Their Eyes"

Watching “Secret in Their Eyes” is like untangling an intricate pattern of jigsaw puzzle that would only reveal the complete picture in the end. The masterful weaving of the present and the past perfectly adds the thrill in solving the secrets in the three main characters eyes. 

The intensity of the film was heighten by emotional dialogues by an intimate cast (Roberts, Kidman, and Ejiofor). The film seems to cradle you with limited idea of what is the real deal on the plot then leads you to a web of possible plot theories. What I like about this film is that every scene is crucial. The flow of the story holds your thoughts and emotions as you go to the process of unraveling the truth. 

We love how the tension and emotions could be felt in the film even if some of the powerful scenes were with no particular dialogues but gestures and eye contacts. Julia Roberts has proven again her acting prowess alongside Nicole Kidman. Chiwetel Ejoifor was just brilliant for his role. he was one of the best factor that this film is a masterpiece. 

The film progressed with some unusual visual cues and flashbacks that helped in uncovering the real story of what happened years ago. One of my favorite scenes in the film was (spoiler alert) when  Jess Cobb (Roberts) found-out that her daughter was death, and the emotional elevator scene of the three main character with the murder suspect. Another scene that would probably linger in your mind is the interrogation scene with Ray Kasten (Ejiofor) and Claire Sloan (Kidman).

“Secret in Their Eyes” is based on “El Secreto de Sus Ojos,” the 2010 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, directed by Juan Jose Campanella.  In the movie, a parent’s worst nightmare happens when investigator Jess Cobb (Roberts) finds her daughter brutally murdered, along with his best pal in the force, Ray Kasten (Ejiofor), the two set out to uncover the elusive killer with the aid of district attorney Claire Sloan (Kidman).  Years passed and the killer is still lose on the streets of Los Angeles, beneath the missions, Jess tries hard to cover the pain that has haunted her for years after her daughter’s death.

“The Hunger Games" Scribe Billy Ray Takes on Latest Directorial Seat in “Secret In Their Eyes”

Hollywood’s heavyweights and A-list actors Academy Award winners Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman along with Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejoifor star for the first time in the event thriller of the year “Secret In Their Eyes.”

“Secret In Their Eyes” Brings Together Hollywood's Top Actors - Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, and Chiwetel Ejoifor

Interweaving past and present, this deeply layered mystery explores the murky boundaries between justice and revenge, and asks the question: how far would you go to right an unfathomable wrong?

Julia Roberts who has successfully launched top-grossing worldwide romantic comedy/drama movies such as “Pretty Woman,” “Notting Hill,” “Dying Young,” “Mystic Pizza” and “Steel Magnolias” gives the audience a whole new perspective on her thespian capabilities in “Secret In Their Eyes” as she takes on the role of Jesse Cobb, a grieving mother trapped in her responsibility as a cop to carry out her own kind of justice towards the killer of her daughter.

Julia Roberts’ Oscar-Worthy Role Torn Between Revenge and Justice In “Secret In Their Eyes” 

Nicole Kidman says that the plot intrigued her when she first read the script. “Rarely do you get scripts that have three strong protagonists and a really, really strong storyline. I’ve known Billy for a while now and I wanted to work with him and the idea of doing this with Julia and Chiwetel was compelling. “For me writer-directors are the best combination.


Secret in Their Eyes (2015)
PG-13  |  111 min  |  Mystery, Thriller  |  2 December 2015 (Philippines)

Our ratings: ★★★★★★★★★☆

An impeccable cast of winning actors converge in “Secret In Their Eyes” -  Academy Award winners Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman with Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejoifor in a complex tale of love, friendship, betrayal and obsession that has the critics rooting for its lead, Julia Roberts, an award for her stirring performance as a devoted mom and an outstanding investigator whose only daughter was murdered by a young male asset (against terrorism) that the government tries so hard to protect.

“Secret In Their Eyes” opens December 2 in theatres from Axinite Digicinema.