My quick rating - 4,6/10. I was absolutely going to delete this one except for one thing. After it ended, I was chatting with a friend about the whole thing so it did its job, it got us to actually ponder the whole thing including the outcome. It does end up being a cut above a high-end Lifetime original thriller LOL. So if that is a selling point for you, then have at it. Jagged Mind presents an intriguing premise that captivates audiences from the start. The film follows Billie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), a young woman tormented by blackouts and enigmatic visions that plunge her into a bewildering series of time loops. As she desperately tries to unravel the mysteries behind her recurring experiences, a new and enigmatic girlfriend further complicates matters. While the story offers great potential, it regrettably falls short of expectations, hampered by poor execution and an unnecessary focus on girl-on-girl romance as a mere selling point. The film's central concept of time loops and mysterious visions is undeniably engaging and the romantic distraction was just not necessary. As viewers, we are drawn into Billie's plight, yearning to uncover the truth alongside her. Richardson-Sellers portrayal has an admirable vulnerability, convincingly portraying the character's confusion and desperation as she grapples with her strange circumstances. Sadly, the supporting cast lacks depth and often fails to provide the necessary emotional resonance, leaving many interactions feeling forced and superficial. Director Kelley Kali's inability to harness the full potential of the story becomes evident as the plot unfolds. Scenes that should be filled with tension and suspense often fall flat due to clumsy pacing and awkward dialogue. As a result, the narrative feels disjointed, leaving viewers struggling to stay engaged. Adding to the film's shortcomings is its gratuitous emphasis on the girl-on-girl romance aspect. While there is nothing inherently wrong with exploring LGBTQ+ relationships on screen, in this case, it feels shoehorned and exploited for marketing purposes. The romance doesn't contribute significantly to the plot, and its portrayal lacks depth and authenticity. This exploitative approach diminishes the characters' credibility and serves as a distracting detour from the main story. Despite its flaws, this flick does have some redeeming qualities. The cinematography captures the eerie ambiance of the time loops, and the occasional moments of tension do offer glimpses of what the film could have been with better direction and writing. Check it out since as a one-time viewing, I would think you may be entertained enough especially if the marketing ploy doesn't bother you as much as it did for me.
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