New Movies: Sharp Corner (2024) by Jason Buxton

Sharp Corner (2024) by Jason Buxton: An Obsession on the Edge

Jason Buxton's second feature film, Sharp Corner, is a tense and unsettling psychological thriller that delves into one man's escalating obsession with tragedy. Starring Ben Foster in a captivating and unnerving performance, the film explores how a seemingly innocuous event can trigger a dark fixation that unravels a family and exposes the unsettling depths of the human psyche.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9569096/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/sharp-corner-review-ben-foster-1236391852/

About movie: https://www.alcinapictures.com/sharp-corner

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/sharp-corner (US)

Detailed Summary

Sharp Corner introduces Josh (Ben Foster) and Rachel McCall (Cobie Smulders), a seemingly ordinary suburban couple, as they move into their new dream home with their young son, Max (William Kosovic). On their very first night, their peace is shattered when a car crashes violently into a tree on their front lawn, killing the driver and injuring passengers. This tragic event sets Josh on an unsettling path. He discovers that the "sharp corner" outside their house is a frequent site of accidents due to the road's design.

Initially, Josh's concern seems benign: he wants to be prepared to help victims. However, this concern quickly spirals into a disturbing obsession. He secretly enrolls in CPR classes, attends the funerals of crash victims (falsely posing as a friend), and dedicates an increasing amount of his time to monitoring the notorious corner. While his wife, Rachel, a therapist, becomes increasingly alarmed by his bizarre behavior and the impact it has on their anxious son, Josh's fixation intensifies, blurring the lines between altruism and a disturbing need for control or a hero complex. The film meticulously builds a sense of dread as Josh's actions become more erratic and deceptive, revealing a man grappling with an undeclared mid-life crisis and a dangerous search for meaning. As his marriage crumbles and his true motivations remain ambiguous, Sharp Corner creeps towards an unnerving climax, forcing viewers to question the nature of obsession and the psychological fallout of unchecked fixation.

Plot Summary

The plot of Sharp Corner follows Josh McCall, a family man whose life is upended when a car crashes into his new home's front yard. Witnessing subsequent accidents at the same "sharp corner," Josh develops an unhealthy obsession with being a first responder. This fixation leads him to secretly take CPR classes, monitor the site relentlessly, and delve into the lives of victims. As his behavior grows increasingly bizarre and secretive, it strains his marriage to Rachel and causes concern for their young son, Max. The film explores Josh's psychological unraveling as his obsession consumes his life, leading to a chilling and ambiguous climax.

Director's Vision

Director and co-writer Jason Buxton describes Sharp Corner as a "slow-burn psychological thriller" and an "enigmatic character study." His vision was to delve into the "perverse fixation" and "perverse curiosity" that can arise from witnessing tragedy, drawing parallels to the works of filmmakers like Atom Egoyan (The Adjuster, Exotica) and David Cronenberg (Crash). Buxton was particularly interested in "the dangers of that—when somebody isn't aware of their own shadow," exploring a character who "doesn't have a relationship with himself." He aimed to create a "disturbing autopsy of the hero complex and the different effects of trauma on individuals," while maintaining an "unsettling gear" and a "pervasive novelistic ambiguity" that defies easy interpretation.

Themes

• Obsession and Fixation: The central theme revolves around Josh's escalating, unhealthy obsession with the car accidents, illustrating how a seemingly altruistic impulse can spiral into a destructive compulsion.

• Trauma and Its Manifestations: The film explores the varied and complex ways individuals react to and process trauma, showing how it can lead to a search for control or a distorted sense of purpose.

• The Hero Complex: Sharp Corner dissects the psychological underpinnings of the "hero complex," questioning whether Josh's actions are genuinely about saving lives or driven by a desperate need for validation and meaning in his own life.

• Toxic Masculinity and Mid-Life Crisis: The film subtly examines elements of a mid-life crisis and potentially toxic masculine tendencies, with Josh's inability to communicate and his need for control contributing to his unraveling.

• Marital Strain and Family Dynamics: The escalating tension between Josh and Rachel, and the impact on their son, highlights how unresolved psychological issues in one partner can devastate a family.

• The Search for Meaning: Josh's extreme behaviors can be interpreted as a desperate, albeit misguided, search for purpose and relevance in a life that he perceives as lacking.

Key Success Factors

• Ben Foster's Performance: Widely praised as one of his career-best, Foster delivers a nuanced and unsettling portrayal of Josh, embodying his descent into obsession with a quiet intensity that keeps viewers "uneasy" and "riveted."

• Atmospheric Psychological Thriller: The film effectively builds a pervasive sense of dread and psychological tension, relying on a slow-burn approach and Stephen McKeon's ominous score to create an unnerving atmosphere.

• Compelling Premise: The unique and disturbing concept of a man becoming obsessed with car accidents outside his home provides a fertile ground for psychological exploration and keeps the audience engaged.

• Nuanced Thematic Exploration: The film avoids simple explanations, offering a layered examination of trauma, the hero complex, and the complexities of human behavior, leading to rich interpretations.

• Strong Supporting Performance: Cobie Smulders provides a grounded and sensible counterpoint as Rachel, effectively conveying her increasing alarm and the strain on her marriage.

Summary Short

Sharp Corner is a psychological thriller starring Ben Foster as Josh, a man who becomes dangerously obsessed with car accidents at a notorious corner near his new home, unraveling his marriage and family as his compulsion to "save" victims escalates.

Awards and Nominations

Sharp Corner garnered attention on the film festival circuit:

• World Premiere: Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), September 6, 2024.

• Festival Screenings: Rome Film Festival (October 22, 2024), International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg (November 7, 2024), Glasgow Film Festival (March 1, 2025), San Francisco International Film Festival (April 23, 2025).

• Awards:

  • Atlantic Film Festival: 2 Wins & 2 Nominations.

  • Canadian Screen Awards: 3 Nominations.

Critics Reception

Critical reception for Sharp Corner has been generally positive to mixed, with strong praise for its lead performance and thematic ambition, but some noted caveats regarding pacing or narrative choices.

• Positive Reviews:

  • IndieWire: Praised its "atmospheric descent into madness" and its "strong" refusal to overtly explain itself, finding its ambiguity thrilling.

  • Screen Daily: Described it as a "psychological drama" with "fine performances" and a "carefully maintained tone" that keeps viewers "riveted," offering a "disquieting exploration of how people find scraps of meaning in their empty lives."

  • The GATE: Called it a "moody character piece with flashes of coal black comedy and unnerving thriller elements" that "defies easy categorization, but invites plenty of rich interpretation." It lauded Foster's "commanding performance."

  • MovieWeb: Highlighted it as a "compelling obsession study" that is "often cringe-funny and makes for relentless entertainment," leading to a "thrilling and outrageous conclusion."

  • The Guardian (Metacritic Score 80): Praised Buxton's growing confidence and the film's "hauntingly downbeat yet crushingly inevitable" ending.

• Mixed Reviews:

  • Mashable: While appreciating the smart premise and strong performances, felt the film "seems to lose faith in their audience in the second act" with a "psychiatrist basically spells out what Josh is going through."

  • ScreenAnarchy / Next Best Picture: Found the premise intriguing and execution effective but noted some "nonsensical and entirely unsatisfying" elements or that the "big swing ultimately yields nothing of true value" in terms of deeper meaning for some.

  • The Globe and Mail (Metacritic Score 73): Described it as a "sometimes tense and sometimes unsteady character study" "slathered with dread."

  • Screen Rant (Metacritic Score 70): Called it a "fascinating character study" but with "hiccups with the execution."

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics widely praised Ben Foster's transformative and unsettling performance. The film is commended for its atmospheric tension, its willingness to delve into dark psychological territory, and its nuanced exploration of obsession and trauma. However, some reviewers felt the pacing could be slow at times or that certain narrative choices, particularly regarding explanation of Josh's motivations, undermined its enigmatic quality. Despite these points, Sharp Corner is largely seen as a compelling and disturbing character study.

Reviews

Reviews from general audiences and festival attendees often mirror the critical sentiments, highlighting the film's ability to make viewers uncomfortable and its thought-provoking exploration of a man's unraveling. Many found Foster's performance to be a standout. The film's slow-burn nature means it resonates more with audiences who appreciate psychological depth and character study over fast-paced thrills.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate that Sharp Corner is an impactful, unsettling, and well-acted psychological thriller. It successfully creates a disturbing atmosphere and delves into complex themes, appealing particularly to those who appreciate character-driven dramas with a dark edge.

Production

Sharp Corner is a Canadian and Irish co-production. It was written and directed by Jason Buxton and is based on a short story from Russell Wangersky's collection Whirl Away. The film has been in development for approximately a decade.

Production Companies

• Alcina Pictures (Canada)

• Shut up & Colour Pictures (Canada)

• Workhorse Pictures (Ireland)

Distribution Companies

• Vertical Entertainment (United States)

  • Vertical Entertainment is handling the film's limited theatrical and PVOD release in the United States.

Release Date on Streaming

Sharp Corner was released on PVOD (Premium Video On Demand) platforms in the United States on May 9, 2025.

Theatrical Release

Sharp Corner had its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2024. It then had a limited theatrical release in the United States starting May 9, 2025. The film also screened at various international film festivals, including the Rome Film Festival (October 22, 2024), International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg (November 7, 2024), Glasgow Film Festival (March 1, 2025), and San Francisco International Film Festival (April 23, 2025).

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Exceptional Lead Performance: If you are a fan of Ben Foster's intense acting and want to see him deliver a deeply unsettling and nuanced portrayal unlike his previous roles.

• Thought-Provoking Psychological Thriller: For audiences who enjoy thrillers that delve into complex psychological territory, exploring themes of obsession, trauma, and the human psyche's darker corners.

• Slow-Burn Tension: If you appreciate films that build dread and suspense gradually, allowing the unsettling atmosphere and character unraveling to slowly consume you.

• Indie Film Appreciation: To support independent cinema that explores challenging themes with artistic ambition and strong performances.

Why to Watch Movie

• Explore Human Obsession: To witness a fascinating and disturbing character study of how a man's seemingly good intentions can devolve into a dangerous and self-destructive obsession.

• Engage with Dark Themes: To confront themes of trauma, the hero complex, and marital breakdown in a non-sensationalized yet deeply unnerving manner.

• Experience a Unique Narrative: The film's ambiguous nature and refusal to provide easy answers make for a more challenging and rewarding viewing experience for those who enjoy deeper interpretations.

• See a Promising Director's Work: To follow the work of Jason Buxton, whose second feature demonstrates a clear vision and a knack for creating unsettling, character-driven stories.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

Sharp Corner is following the trend of "Psychological Character Study Thrillers" that explore the darker aspects of the human condition, often focusing on one individual's descent into obsession or madness. It aligns with a renewed interest in films that prioritize internal conflict and psychological tension over jump scares or overt action, drawing from the tradition of "slow-burn" thrillers and character dramas that blur genre lines.

What Big Social Trend is Following

The film aligns with the increasing societal discussion around "Mental Health and Trauma Response," particularly how individuals cope (or fail to cope) with witnessing or experiencing traumatic events. It also touches on conversations surrounding "Masculinity and Mid-Life Identity," exploring the pressures men face and the potential for destructive behaviors when a sense of purpose or control is perceived to be lacking.

Final Verdict

Sharp Corner is a chilling and expertly crafted psychological thriller that showcases Ben Foster in a career-defining performance. Jason Buxton's meticulous direction and a nuanced script create a suffocating atmosphere of dread, drawing viewers into the unsettling mind of a man consumed by a dangerous obsession. While its slow-burn pacing and thematic ambiguity may not appeal to all, its unflinching exploration of trauma, the hero complex, and the fragility of the human psyche makes it a potent and unforgettable film. It stands as a compelling addition to contemporary psychological thrillers and solidifies Buxton as a director to watch.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Trust in Character-Driven Narratives: Focus on developing complex, multi-layered characters whose internal struggles can drive the entire plot, even in the absence of constant external action.

• Master the Art of Slow Burn: Understand how to build tension and dread gradually, allowing the psychological horror to permeate the narrative rather than relying on immediate shocks.

• Embrace Ambiguity: Allowing for multiple interpretations of a character's motivations or the film's ending can create a more thought-provoking and enduring cinematic experience.

• Leverage Strong Performances: Investing in actors capable of delivering nuanced and transformative performances is crucial for character studies, as their portrayal will carry much of the film's weight.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Bold Psychological Thrillers: Continue to champion films that explore dark and complex psychological themes, as these often offer rich artistic and intellectual value.

• Recognize the Power of Character Actors: Highlight and provide platforms for actors known for their depth and intensity, as their unique talents can elevate even challenging material.

• Value Subtlety and Nuance: Encourage projects that prioritize subtle storytelling and thematic depth over overt exposition, allowing for a more sophisticated engagement with audiences.

• Strategic Festival-to-Release Pathway: For independent psychological thrillers, a strong festival run followed by targeted theatrical and VOD releases can effectively build buzz and reach the appropriate audience.

Final Conclusions

Sharp Corner is a testament to the enduring power of psychological horror to explore the darker corners of the human mind. Jason Buxton, with Ben Foster at his unsettling best, has created a film that is both a deeply personal character study and a chilling examination of how an individual's inner turmoil can manifest in devastating ways. Its exploration of obsession, trauma, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world resonates powerfully, making it a significant and memorable contribution to the thriller genre.