The Secrets We Keep

The Secrets We Keep is a drama set in the late 1950s/early 1960s United States. Roughly 15 years post World War II, it follows Maja Reid, a Romanian woman, attempting to rebuild her life in the suburbs with her American husband, Lewis, played by Chris Messina, and their son. One day her fears resurface as she thinks she has come across a man from her past. She then does the unthinkable and kidnaps that man to seek retribution for the heinous war crimes she believes he committed against her and her sister.

I thought that the plot was interesting, unpredictable and suspenseful until the very end. Themes around the effects of suppressed trauma, what it takes to get to forgiveness, and vengeance were prevalent throughout.

The cinematography was well done and clear in cutting back and forth in time. It helped to give a proper character development and backstory for Maja.

Acting was superb. Noomi Rapace worked well off of Chris Messina as well as Joel Kinnaman who placed Thomas Steinman. Noomi was the show stopper for me. She really made you struggle the whole time with has she lost her mind or is she telling the truth? Additionally, I've seen Joel in a couple of different things, and I think that has done a great job a choosing very unique projects that give him an opportunity to show a lot of different characters and thus flex his range as an impressive actor.

Overall this was a very well made movie. It was engaging, taking you on a wild ride all the way until the end, and doesn't disappoint. In the end, the Secrets We Keep is well worth the watch.