James Spader and Rob Lowe are the perfect odd couple in this unsettling thriller that builds up very strongly until its middle section but drops dramatically after it, resulting in a weaker third act and conclusion.

Michael Boll (James Spader) is a young and up-and-coming executive who although seemingly having it all in life, he might get promoted and is engaged with young socialite, he is not satisfied nor convinced with it. One day out of nowhere he meets Alex, who is the complete opposite to him, instead of shy and square, he is charming and chaotic, and introduces Michael to a life of hedonism and nonchalance, but things will go too far…

As previously said, the two main actors are perfectly cast making their characters totally relatable with their distinct personalities. James Spader is perfect in showing the range and evolution in attitude that Michael (or Mick) goes through the film, from the scaredy and gullible one from the beginning to the courageous and strong-minded at the end. Likewise, although having less of a development, Rob Lowe is also spot-on in his portrayal of a no fucks given and psychopath who can turn from lovable and fun to fearless and ruthless in the flick of a switch. Through the story they will cross paths with various characters, but the most important ones will be Patterson (played by Tony Maggio), the “professional competitor” of Michael, Claire (Lisa Zane), as the new love interest of Michael, and his pothead brother Pismo (Christian Clemenson). To be frank, out of those three, the only who becomes interesting and evokes some sort of emotion is Patterson, thanks to the performance from Maggio, who is excellent in the asshole, bullying type of role that he has in hands.

In fact, plot-wise we could even divide the three acts among these three key supporting characters. Obviously, the division is not clear-cut, and their appearances intertwine, but the focus of Michael and Alex clearly changes from one person to the other in each act. The first, thanks to the aforementioned acting from Maggio, might be the strongest one as Michael and Patterson fight for the same promotion and allows us to see the first true change of personality in Michael, culminating in a crazy night of drinking and violence (with actually some quite humorous small holdups). After that the grip to the audience starts to loosen, the second part focusing on Claire still holds up some of it specially through some quite thrilling and uncomfortable sequences, but that grip gets completely loose during a final act, where Pismo becomes the third wheel to the main protagonists, in quite a disappointing and underwhelming ending.

It does not help that the score to the film is one of those rather generic ones in-between 80’s and 90’s with a bit of keyboard, percussion and saxophone that instead of either elevating the tension of some scenes, or at least be unperceivable, becomes noticeable in the worst of ways, working more as a distraction than an enhancer.

On the other hand, other elements such as the great use of sets (workplace, different homes, clubs and parties) are very well designed and actually show perfectly the mood and personality of the people who inhabit them or of the situation as a whole. Those sets are supported by a solid photography that excels specifically for those moments shot at night/dawn tainted in different shades of blue.

All things considered, although not being an indispensable noirish thriller due to its weaker story progression, it still is a film that provides for quite a good entertainment being capable to capture your attention and nerves through good acting and various, fun, unsettling and exciting scenes.