After a disastrous first twenty minutes, The Bystanders does an impressive job of adding some much-needed charisma and charm to the film. While the script could have used some significant polishing, I think there is something to appreciate and to like here. I would have a touch more daring in the filmmaking, a willingness to take risks in the plot, and some nuanced villains, but it’s not a complete waste.

‘While a number of elements give audience members something to appreciate, the ultimate sum of the film’s parts leaves much to be desired. Krawchuk has failed to make his character make the jump from film short to full-length feature, and the Jester, while cool, remains decidedly underdeveloped. The script is tired territory, offering a simplistic, pantomime depiction of emotional trauma, depression, and family relations that neither offers a new angle or does a particularly effective job of presenting familiar ones.’

…not a director I’d normally accuse of phoning in a project, but this kind of feels like that. Perhaps I just wanted something different, something more distinct; coming off of The Shape of Water, it’s not unreasonable to expect. Nightmare Alley is a weaker entry in his catalog, but quality writing and a top-notch cast means it’s still worth seeing. Once.