Although Netflix has been producing a mix of thrillers in recent years, it delivered a particularly intense cat-and-mouse chase in 2022. This time, the story features three different mischievous cats and a well-dressed mouse hiding secrets in its basement. Director Babak Anvari follows up his raw Under the Shadows and jarring Wounds with a tense and unpredictable film that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. I Came By excels in its nuanced portrayal of a serial killer, driven by Hugh Bonneville‘s stately presence and ominous twists as the respected judge, Hector Blake. While the film starts as a typical exploration of “not knowing what happens behind closed doors,” it quickly transforms into a more engaging and thrilling social commentary on how powerful individuals can evade justice.
‘I Came By’ Quickly Becomes Unpredictable
I Came By begins from the perspective of Toby (George MacKay, known for his role in <em>1917</em>), a socially conscious graffiti artist who leaves his tag “I Came By” in the homes of the elite. His intention is to remind residents that they are still vulnerable to the socioeconomic realities outside, making these private tags ironically notorious in the media. We observe Toby attempting to persuade his partner, Jay (Percelle Ascott), to undertake one last mission targeting Hector Blake, a judge known for his charitable work with immigrants but criticized by Toby for possessing illegal ivory antiques. However, as Jay prepares for fatherhood, he is determined to clean up his life and refuses (he believes owning ivory is not a serious enough offense to risk his safety), leaving Toby to infiltrate Hector’s mansion alone, where he uncovers a horrifying secret in the basement.
At this juncture in the film, we are lulled into a familiar rhythm, likely recognizing hints that lead us to an outrageous plot twist reminiscent of Don’t Breathe. Consequently, we immediately perceive Hector as someone dangerous, yet we are unprepared for the first act twist. With Toby firmly established as the main character, we gradually empathize with his quest for (sometimes trivial) social justice and relate to his strained relationship with his mother, Lizzie (Kelly MacDonald). Thus, when he discovers a bound and bruised captive in Blake’s basement and returns another night to rescue him, we are left wondering how we are not even halfway through the film. I Came By swiftly shatters any expectations we held for the narrative, abruptly ending Toby’s life with a forceful blow to the back of his head. The story continues to twist and turn, venturing into unexpected territories and ruthlessly determining who survives and who does not, with Hector looming over it all with a murderous glint in his charitable eyes.
The Realism in ‘I Came By’ Creates a Tense Atmosphere
While the plot may not be entirely believable, there are undercurrents of chilling realism that are striking and effective. Amidst moments of calculated violence are slower-paced sequences depicting the reactions of loved ones. When Toby goes missing, Lizzie reaches out to Jay in hopes of locating him, ultimately resorting to visiting the police station. The underrated MacDonald delivers a heartfelt and desperate performance here; her frustration at being dismissed and her concern for her son resonate deeply. Although she and Toby share a typical teenage-mother relationship, there is something unsettling about watching Lizzie discover hidden compartments in her son’s drawers, questioning whether she ever truly knew him.
Upon reaching the police station, although the actions themselves may not be particularly realistic, we encounter a timeless narrative about the public feeling let down by law enforcement. There is a familiar display of initial police indifference as Lizzie’s complaints are dutifully recorded but she is quickly dismissed with placating remarks instead of genuine concern. Although detective Ella (Franc Ashman) connects the missing person report to Hector’s strange 911 call, it is Lizzie’s treatment by the police that feels realistically bleak, offering little compassion or hope. This drives Lizzie to conduct her own investigation as her determination grows stronger and her concern for her son overrides any logical reasoning. It illustrates how a history of social injustice combined with such callous treatment leads individuals to operate outside legal boundaries, resulting in devastating consequences.
When Ella meticulously investigates Hector’s mansion, she finds no evidence of abduction or murder in Hector’s basement despite discovering secret rooms. When she attempts to arrest him based on these hidden compartments and accusations, a simple phone call to his influential friend swiftly secures his release. With foresight to sanitize all evidence of his crimes and using his privilege as an escape route from justice, Hector becomes a slimy representation of how wealth can be wielded.
Hugh Bonneville Is a Chilling Serial Killer in ‘I Came By’
Of course, none of this could be conveyed without Bonneville’s stellar performance,w h o steals theshowwithhis daring charisma that fluidly shifts into something more sinister.Bonneville would feel particularly at home in this high-class role afterhis major roleinDownton Abbey period drama as Robert Crawley.As Robert heisprotectiveofhis familyandadheres to tradition which translates intohis roleinI Came By albeitin atwisted way.Hector is naturally fiercely protectiveofhis secretsandhisreputation which allowshimto workfreely,andontopofthis he embodiesthetraditional pictureoftheelite exploitinghisresourcesandthe massesfortheworse.Beneathhis stately grandeur which Bonneville inherentlyborrowsfromhispreviouscharacter he alsohasopportunitytoimbue malevolenceinto hisperformance.
Every time he interacts with someone,Hector seems so painfully normal; itisjarring toreconcilehimwiththe depravityhe engageswith.From newsbroadcastswherehis charming smileandcharitablewordscaptureeveryone’sattentiontohis disarmingconversationswiththepoliceofficers wherehe manages topacifytheir suspicionswithaninnocent eye thereissomething markedlywinningaboutHector.His splitindemeanor isparticularlyhighlightedinhismonologu ewhenhetries toen trapanother asylumseeker.Hetalks about howhisfatherabandonedhimandhismother topursuearelationshipwithsomeonewho wasanimmigrant startingthestoryinacharmingandwistfulwaythatgraduallydevolvedintoan unsettlingspite.Undertonesofbitterrageandsadismsweepbeneathhiswords boomingthroughouttheroominawicked symphonyof pompandpsychopathy.
Though itcould be said thatBonneville’sactingprowessovershadowstherestofth ecast,hisdominantpresenceactuallyaddsto thesocialexplorationofI Came By .ComparedtoHector,Tobyisreducedtoanaiveandone-dimensionalcharacter toutingthetiredpersonalitytraitof enacting socialjusticeinorderto stiflehisowninsecurities.However,thisaddstotheeffectofhissimplisticandwide-eyedworldview suggestingthatthoughhedealtinkneadingoutthevulnerabilitiesoftheprivileged, hehimselfdidn’tnecessarilycomprehendjusthowpowerfultheworldhe antagonizedwas. His tagsaresuddenlyrenderedfleetingandobsolete simply hollowgestures thatcannotstandupagainstthedeeproots elitehasinsociety.As such withHector’sshadowdomineeringoverthefilm itoffersableak portrayalofmeaninglessattemptstoalleviatesocialinequalities.
‘I Came By’ Uses Realism to Highlight Social Injustice
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ApartfromBonneville,themostmemorableanddistinctaspectof I Came By isitshiftingPOVs aseachcharacterisoutmaneuveredand expelledbyHector forcinganothercharactertotakeformer’splace.Thefilmstripsusofcomfortofa“hero”or“chosenone” insteadofreflectingpitilessrealityofhowmanyserialkillersmanage toevadedetectionfor solong.Charactersbecomedisposablein I Came By though eachgetsusclosertoHector’sretributionbeforebecominghisnextvictim.Itaddstothechess-likefeelofmovieasstrategiesandvaliantimpulsespickawayattheimpenetrablebarrier surroundingHector but sacrificesarenecessaryinthelarger ragingwaragainsthim.So thenextprotagonisttakesupthemantleandusesyourownmethodstoface-offagainsttheculpablejudge accomplishingasmuchastheycanuntiltheirinevitabledoom(which theydon’texpect since noonereallyanticipatestheirown death).
Withtheprotagonistsofthefilmbecomingsoflexible,itbecomesevenmoredamningthatHectorremainsstandingforsolongsimplybecausehehasresourcesbackinghisactivities. Realism poursinto thisaspectofthestoryasitdoesn’tusethe narrativedevicesof“punishing”and“rewarding”certainbehaviorsandethics.Instead,itisa bleakoutlookonhowunfairadvantagesthataregenerallyoutofpeople’scontrolchalkupthewinsandlossesofabattle.Hectorhashomeadvantage,cashbackinghim,avice-likegriponthelawandanoverarchingdisdainforhumanlifethatallowshimtoessentiallyoperatewithimpunity– pickingoffhistriflingenemiesonebyonealmostcontemptuously.Onceagain,thefilmexhibitsdramaticreenactmentoftheexploitationofthemassesastheybecomeareplaceablepartofanoverarching system withe elite figureslikeHector pullingthestrings.
Socialinjusticepervadeseverycornerofthisdeliberatelypacedfilm fromviolentoutburststotantalizingpressurethatcontinuallybuilds.Evenwhenthethreecats tryandhuntdownthemouse,the tensionandstresscavesinaroundthem unableto infiltratethesuavestrongholdofwealthsurroundingthemouse.Buildinginintensity Anvarifinallyrewardsourpatiencewhenthe catharticfinalactrollsaround.Yet howevergratifyingtheendingis, withalltheliveslostweareleftwithhauntingquestionofwhothe realwinnerhereis. Whichmattersmore: takingdowntheenemyorthelossesalongtheway? As such, I Came By usesdistinctivestrokes ofrealismand unpredictabilitytocreateacaptivating muralofsocialinjusticefurthercriticizinghowprivilegebecomesperfectcover.
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