'By Design' Review: Juliette Lewis Leads Psychological Thriller

There’s an intriguing push-pull at the center of “By Design,” a thorny, unsettling psychological thriller about a famous architect returning to her hometown following a family tragedy. Carolyn (Juliette Lewis) is both compelled and repelled by the prospect of confronting her past, leading to some erratic and self-destructive behavior. While writer-director Amy Goldstein creates a compelling atmosphere of dread, the film’s muddled central mystery and abrupt ending ultimately leave the audience feeling more bewildered than satisfied.

Carolyn’s initial interactions with former friends and associates hint at a shared history marked by secrets and unspoken tensions. Goldstein skillfully portrays a small community where everyone knows each other's business, fostering an environment ripe for paranoia and suspicion. The unsettling score and evocative visuals amplify this sense of unease, effectively blurring the lines between reality and Carolyn's increasingly fragile mental state. Lewis delivers a powerful performance, conveying the character's deep-seated pain and simmering rage with palpable intensity. Her portrayal of a woman teetering on the brink of a breakdown is both captivating and deeply disturbing.

Unfortunately, “By Design” stumbles in its narrative execution. The mystery surrounding the tragic event that propelled Carolyn’s return remains frustratingly opaque. While the fragmented flashbacks and cryptic conversations initially add to the suspense, they eventually become more confusing than intriguing. As the film progresses, it struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative thread, leading to a climax that feels both rushed and unsatisfying. The sudden and ambiguous ending further compounds this issue, leaving numerous questions unanswered and ultimately undermining the film's carefully constructed atmosphere of psychological suspense.

Despite its flaws, “By Design” possesses a certain raw and unsettling power, largely due to Lewis’s compelling performance and Goldstein’s evocative direction. The film’s exploration of grief, trauma, and the insidious nature of secrets holds promise. However, its muddled narrative and abrupt conclusion prevent it from fully realizing its potential.

Production companies:

XYZ Films, et al

Distribution:

ABC Releasing

Cast:

Juliette Lewis, et al

Director-screenwriter:

Amy Goldstein

Producers:

Jane Doe, John Smith

Executive producer:

Someone Else

Director of photography:

Ima Cameraperson

Editor:

Ed I. Tor

Music:

A Composer

Venue:

Fantastic Fest

Running time:

95 minutes