There are films that seem to be developed like plays for the simple fact of depending on a single location at the time of shooting— this can be counterproductive if the plot does not bring a substantial emotional charge so the viewer can feel attracted to its content. In the case of Confession, the audience could be between a rock and hard place to judge, just as there is in its plot of repentance and consequence.

It all begins with the arrival of a wounded man, Victor (Stephen Moyer), at a church during midnight. Inside is Father Peter (Colm Meaney) who seems to be dismayed by the bloodied image of the man. While Victor is telling the priest about his life problems, a young detective (Clare-Hope Ashitey) is looking for him to settle a score. But at the same time, Victor is trying to tie up the loose ends of his past. Who will come out alive from a vendetta everyone wants to collect?

Confession seems to be developed in the same style a soap opera unfolds— secrets are slowly unearthed throughout a plot that seems to last forever when in fact only a couple of minutes have passed. The film has a very slow pace; there is no doubt about that. It can turn out to be boring for those seeking for action sequences, explosions or even a deathmatch to happen. The use of a single setting and only 5 actors interacting with each other and the elements that surround them (but do it phenomenally, by the way) seems to be to blame for the speed at which the story runs.

However, despite having few resources, the script is extremely detailed, and this is a point in its favor, especially for those who enjoy a well-developed drama. It is as if they had thought from the beginning they would only have a considerable budget for production, and therefore the writer, also the director, made the decision to turn even the ghost characters into round subjects describing and detailing their characteristics, attributes, actions and consequences, and their current status— it’s amazing to see how he achieves that dynamism even while its arc development remains static in one set. I tip my hat to David Beton for doing so much with so little.

Confession, despite being categorized as an action thriller, actually falls into the suspenseful drama genre—the action doesn’t last long enough to warrant entry as such. It may seem dull for people who might get carried away by the trailer or its promotional poster, but at the same time it could be entertaining for those who love long dialogues with threads that connect the plot from beginning to end.

6 OUT OF 10 GUNS