Neil LaBute’s Out of the Blue is a modern neo-noir thriller that thrives on slow-burning tension, seductive danger, and inevitable betrayal. At its heart is Connor Bates (Ray Nicholson), a troubled ex-convict trying to piece together a semblance of normal life in a bleak Rhode Island town. His fragile routine shatters the moment he encounters Marilyn (Diane Krueger), a mysterious older woman with bruises that speak louder than words. Their affair begins with a spark of passion but quickly ignites into a dangerous web of obsession, deception, and murder.
LaBute borrows heavily from classic noir tropes—most notably The Postman Always Rings Twice—but dresses them in contemporary grit. Nicholson delivers a haunting performance, portraying Connor as both vulnerable and volatile, while Krueger embodies the quintessential femme fatale, blending allure with menace. Hank Azaria as the probation officer adds weight, serving as a constant reminder of Connor’s precarious existence.
While the pacing occasionally falters, the film’s atmosphere is suffocatingly effective, drenched in shadows, longing, and mistrust. The final twist cements Out of the Blue as a story of manipulation where love is a weapon and redemption is out of reach. It’s a bleak but captivating reminder that in noir, desire often seals one’s fate.
Out of the Blue
2022, R, 1h 44m
Director :Neil LaBute
Writer :Neil LaBute
Stars: Diane Kruger,Ray Nicholson, Gia Crovatin
IMDb : 4.4
