TIFF 2021 film review: 'The Guilty'

Jake Gyllenhaal's gripping performance energizes the U.S. adaptation of the claustrophobic thriller 'The Guilty' (screening during the 46th Toronto International Film Festival).

In short: Demoted police officer Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) is assigned to a call dispatch desk when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman. Ethan Hawke, Riley Keough and Peter Sarsgaard also star.

This iteration of 'The Guilty' is an American remake of a 2018 film of the same. The Danish iteration of 'The Guilty' was one of the best films of 2018. Given the less-than-stellar history of U.S. adaptations of great international films, it's reasonable that this remake would be met with some degree of skepticism. All that said, Gyllenhaal is excellently cast as the spiraling and desperate police officer trying to solve a kidnapping while trapped behind a dispatch desk.

For those unfamiliar with the 2018 original film, this 2021 remake is fundamentally faithful to the original, although this update adds some details that make this version specific to the LAPD. Most of these minor additions don't improve the film - if anything, they just prevent the film from being as razor-sharp focused as the 2018 version. Setting the U.S. version in Los Angeles is fine. This U.S. remake could have been set in any American city to be honest - which might have actually worked better for its commentary on police brutality and accountability - but it seems Los Angeles was chosen simply because of the (now commonplace) California wildfire. But the 'city on fire' metaphor comes off as clunky and obvious.

'The Guilty' is a one-man showcase for star Jake Gyllenhaal, whose single-minded focus is the film's foundation. He starts his shift at dispatch with an annoyed, dismissive tone. He's not the dispatcher anyone wants to hear on the other end of the phone when they're calling for 9-1-1 assistance. His tone practically tells any caller that Officer Joe Baylor would rather be patrolling the streets on activity than sitting behind a desk. Gyllenhaal's performance covers a lot of ground, from his anxious playing with his inhaler to a real sense that, despite his cavalier attitude, a part of Ofc. Baylor genuinely wants to save the kidnapped woman - he really wants to do good. While the Danish version is a more focused, intense thriller, the U.S. version sets itself apart with Gyllenhaal's captivating performance.

While both version of 'The Guilty' feature a protagonist under investigation for an officer-related shooter, this U.S. version decisively leans into the 'cowboy cop' characterization. And in this modern era where officer conduct is under more scrutiny, this emphasis in the U.S. version is the best justification for this remark. Adding Baylor's estranged wife and daughter into the mix is a bit much - while it serves to give him cause to want to stay out of prison, but this motivation isn't needed, and just clutters up the movie.

But as far as thrillers go, ‘The Guilty’ makes solid use of its pacing and keeps the audience locked in for its brisk and intense 90 minutes.

Final verdict: Although the Danish version remains the stronger version of 'The Guilty,' this adaptation is an effective thriller and timely movie.

Score: 3/5

'The Guilty' screens during TIFF 2021, opens in select theaters Sept. 24 and streams on Netflix starting Oct. 1. This drama is rated R for language throughout and has a running time of 90 minutes.