Stray

Spoilers: Fearless filmmaking. Up close and personal on two wounded souls, roaming, almost wandering, he, an ex-con, turning to God and booze, she to her estranged son for just an afternoon visit after she did a term in. Their baggage debilitates them. They meet cute, not so cute, when he runs after and tackles her after she broke into his remote house. We really feel their alienation, confusion, as they fall into each other's arm when he allows her to stay despite the burglary. The sex is desperate, each looking for something good, anything good. The filmmaker gets us close, all the lonely people, where do they all come from? This has no pat, happy ending, thanks to the filmmaker. It is not an upbeat story of redemption, as our hero exits his car on a road, walks into the vegetation and we don't know if he will walk out. But he does. We can only hope their encounter can continue, but we don't know. This was slow, quiet, we see them. But such a wonderful portrait. Fearless filmmaking because it was not afraid to be quiet. Bravo to the writer, actors, director. There but for grace, we might think, go I.

Well there's 1hr 40 I'll never get back. A movie is supposed to be entertainment. This was a waste of time. The art crowd will probably say I'm not cool or intelligent enough to appreciate this dross.

I hated it. Depressing. Too slow, too many pointlessly long shots. It's set in this amazing landscape yet doesn't show that at all. Do people really meet and not talk at all? At the end of the movie you still don't know anything about these people. I am not against slow movies that make you think about things, at least give me something to look at - interesting photography. There was nothing like that.

New Zealand's 'Stray' has moments, oh does it have moments, but i never found myself being able to get emotionally invested enough into the characters to give a darn about the duo. It's minimalist for sure and it works here better than most. The film is undoubtedly gorgeous, however the lack of a narrative focus didn't work for me. Mesmerizing yet vacant. Final Score: 5/10

Its kind of slow but the atmosphere is dark and cold with damaged people at its core.

One of those Kiwi movies that roars along at snail pace. Evocative.

I'm an avid movie watcher love indie films but I could barely stay awake for this. nothing happens! Some nice cinematography some good acting but basically a waste of time. How critics gave us 100 I have no clue!

Not since Gus Van Sant’s “Gerry” has a film so long said so much of nothing; “Stray” is Inept in almost every way. The only positives are some striking cinematography and performances.

Sorry - I just do not understand all the great reviews. Very slow, very boring, nothing really explained. Could not relate to the characters, nor did I care. Very disappointed. I wanted to like it, kept waiting for anything to grab me. When it ended, I was relieved it was over.

You know it's a brilliant film when you are on the edge of your seat ready for the next scene. Suddenly you get goosebumps as the credits start rolling and you don't want the film to end. Bravo 👏🏻❤️