Cassidy is a backpacker getting through a day of door-to-door sales in Toronto. At a time when three other women have gone missing. When she calls at a house where the male owner is willing to engage and invites her in, she becomes increasingly uncomfortable. The title suggests that this character, probably like many of us, may put her own safety at risk just to avoid seeming impolite. This is an interesting concept, but the film doesn’t quite deliver on interrogating that idea.
Cassidy is a sympathetic and likeable character. She needs this job financially, and is also looking to prove a point to her mother. The exposition, although heavy-handed at times, also gives us an interesting piece of information. The disappearances have all been of women in the country on working visas.
It is possible to read this film as a comment on being an outsider, and the discomfort and fear that comes with it. The ordinary nature of the location is effective, as is the naturalistic cinematography. The fisheye view in the corner of the room when Cassidy first enters the house might be under-used. As it gives us a sense of looking in and watching this unfold in a more realistic way that complements the themes.
Along the way we are given many signals that play on our expectations of the genre, and try to lead us down a path. For example, him locking the door after she enters, reference to the basement, and a bad smell in the house. But we are left not knowing if he is dangerous or just lonely, as is Cassidy. Which is perhaps the point.
Either way, you must trust your instincts and put your safety first. The film does well in keeping us guessing, but on the whole is unfulfilling. It’s hard to see where the director is leading us. And the ending doesn’t gift us with any kind of resolution. The closing caption informs us that the film is based on a true story. It would have been good to see this story fleshed out enough to make that information more relevant.
We don’t get enough insight into either characters motivations to be able to really connect or draw conclusions that lift the storytelling to a higher level. However, the filmmaking itself is excellent, and the performances are engaging,
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