It is impossible to overstate how good Viggo Mortensen is in this movie. While I was for once a bit disappointed by Naomi Watts, Viggo absolutely carries it and makes me care more about the story. I'm not used to non-horror David Cronenberg, but he does a good job here, elevating a somewhat basic 2000s drama. It doesn't all work but there's a lot to like.

It is impossible to overstate how good Viggo Mortensen is in this movie. While I was for once a bit disappointed by Naomi Watts, Viggo absolutely carries it and makes me care more about the story. I'm not used to non-horror David Cronenberg, but he does a good job here, elevating a somewhat basic 2000s drama. It doesn't all work but there's a lot to like.

Technically a Christmas movie.

Technically a Christmas movie.

Cronenberg's challengers (Viggo Mortensen is Zendaya).

Cronenberg's challengers (Viggo Mortensen is Zendaya).

i didn’t think i’d be this into a slow russian mob drama but here we are. i was locked in from the first scene. viggo barely speaks and still had me stressed out the whole time. i physically recoiled during the bathhouse scene. genuinely didn’t breathe for the final 20 minutes.

i didn’t think i’d be this into a slow russian mob drama but here we are. i was locked in from the first scene. viggo barely speaks and still had me stressed out the whole time. i physically recoiled during the bathhouse scene. genuinely didn’t breathe for the final 20 minutes.

You don’t have to be horny to watch this, but it helps.

You don’t have to be horny to watch this, but it helps.