Newness (2017)

Director: Drake Doremus
Stars: Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa, Danny Huston
Runtime: 112 minutes

Performances: 7/10
Screenplay: 3/10
Special Effects: N.A.
Costumes/Makeup: 5/10
Editing: 4/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Score/Soundtrack: 3/10

Verdict: “As long as it doesn’t get cheesy in the end.” These words are muttered by Nicholas Hoult’s character, and ironically coincided with my mentality before watching the film. To that, I’m just going to respond with another quote from the movie: “It’s too boring, predictable.” Directed by Drake Doremus, “Newness” follows a couple who met via a dating app, and the struggles they encounter when their relationship start to get a bit more serious. What bothered me most while watching the film was how seriously it was taking itself, even though the script offered nothing new (oh the irony) and was for most of the runtime cringe-worthy. Nicholas Hoult and especially Laia Costa as Martin and Gabi played their parts pretty well, and their chemistry was to some extent believable, but they were unfortunately handed very cheesy lines. There’s also a very well-acted and pivotal fight that occurs between the two characters that I just couldn’t take seriously due to its ridiculousness and poor direction. Boring, predictable, and pretentious, “Newness” tried way too hard to be something it’s not, and missed the opportunity to be enjoyed by some people as a guilty pleasure.

Final Grade: 4/10