The Apology

A grim and mostly satisfying locked-room thriller.

The characters’ despair and passion remains gripping throughout, as they force each other into some overdue reckonings with the past.

When the resolution of a movie depends in part on a fortuitously constipated dog, the only apology required is from whoever convinced you to watch in the first place.

Where it slips up frequently, is in the journey between that wonderful opening turn towards darkness and the heart-wrenching conclusion, in which all three stars give it everything they’ve got.

This drama/thriller, ironically adorned from top to bottom with cheerful holiday decorations, is a tough watch. But it does an admirable job of tapping into deep-seated emotions.

Alison Locke drops one of the most agonizing Christmas stories in recent years, but also includes a glimmer of hope. The magic of the holidays still manages to come out, even in a thriller as bleak as The Apology.

It’s hard to stay invested in a narrative this rote and predictable.

The Apology succeeds with suspenseful set pieces and award-worthy performances, even if the film becomes a bit repetitive by the end.

The urgent performances and pacing keep this small film engrossing, if not particularly memorable.

THE APOLOGY is a talky two-character drama that purports to be a psychological thriller. It might hold the interest of viewers who find themselves as snowed in as the people are here, but just barely.