The Guilty is a gripping experience but runs out of steam before crossing the finish line.
Jake Gyllenhaal did such a fantastic job in this film. The complex emotion that he displayed here was an absolute clinic on acting. He transitioned from shock to anger to sadness with ease, demonstrating the true emotions of a person dealing with a difficult situation while simultaneously being haunted by the past. It was brilliant the way he carried the entire film with just him, his phone, and the same dispatcher room for 90 minutes. Gyllenhaal wasn't the only one who was excellent but the entire ensemble of actors doing voice work over the phone were incredibly solid.
I really enjoyed the story of this film; we've seen the whole one man act before, but this was incredibly engaging. I was completely locked in at parts leaning on the edge of every word delivered over the phone as the pieces of the puzzle slowly start to unravel. It was very fun to be a part of the investigation and continually having to alter my theories based on new information. Although, once the big reveal occurs, the movie overstays its welcome. It lingers on Joe for a little bit too long and I was waiting for it to be over. Not a great sign.
Regardless of the lulls in the script, The Guilty still found a way to keep me mostly engaged throughout the majority of the film. Which is a testament to the amazing performances from Gyllenhaal and the rest of the cast.
Verdict: Good
Score: 75%