Heel

Today on New Movie Monday, we are unearthing a previously unaired episode as we travel home from Fantastic Fest. There is a hidden gem out there that has not gotten the attention it deserves. So, we are releasing it from our basement chains to share with you!

A family kidnaps a troubled young man, chains him in their basement and insists they're helping him. Welcome to HEEL, a disturbing psychological thriller starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough that gave us plenty to argue about.

Griffey, Heath and Sam dig into the film's unsettling mix of cruelty, affection and control. What begins as a captivity nightmare becomes something harder to untangle, with performances that make you question your sympathies even when the characters' actions are indefensible.

Then there's the ending. Is the film exploring a cycle of abuse, or letting its captors off the hook? Does understanding a character's choice mean endorsing it? We do not quietly agree to disagree.

Plus: Stephen Graham's conflicted father figure, Andrea Riseborough's unnerving restraint, the family's mysterious motives and our most messed-up moments.

FULL SPOILERS, including an extensive discussion of the ending. Watch HEEL first if you want to go in blind.

This episode was recorded several weeks before publication and saved for our Fantastic Fest travel week.

Seen HEEL? Tell us how you read the ending in the comments.

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