The Stream: A little repetitive which makes it feel a bit drawn out.

The Big Screen: Great lead performances enhance the intensity of the story.

The Final Bill: A great relationship drama becomes an intense thriller chock full of tension.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Chloe Domont
Writers: Chloe Domont
Stars: Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan, Rich Sommer
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Rating: R for pervasive language, sexual content, some nudity, and sexual violence
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
Production Companies: MRC Film, Star Thrower Entertainment, T-Street
Platform: On Netflix October 6, 2023
Notable Trailers: Leave the World Behind, Pain Hustlers, Rustin, May December, The Killer

Hey, Streamers! For those looking for something not so spooky in this “spooky” season, there are plenty of offerings on streaming services that might catch your eye.  Netflix has some promising releases this month, one of which is the indie thriller, Fair Play.  From a first-time writer/director, Chloe Domont, this movie explores gender politics in the workplace through the eyes of a young, ambitious couple.  Here’s how it goes.

In Fair Play, Phoebe Dynevor plays Emily Meyers, an analyst at a fast-paced New York hedge fund, who is in a clandestine relationship with a co-worker, Luke Edmunds played by Alden Ehrenreich.  The couple makes a concerted effort to keep their relationship secret at work despite the fact that they are living together and newly engaged.  When a promotion to a manager position becomes available, Emily overhears that Luke is being considered for the position and shares the office gossip with him. However, when Luke gets passed over for position, the relationship between Luke and Emily is tested.  Gender dynamics and stockbroking hijinks ensue.

Chloe Domont has written sharp and incisive movie.  She has written really interesting characters and placed them in a complicated situation that could be universally experienced.  Emily and Luke work in a high-powered, high dollar, fast-paced world of finance, but they could be in any career field and go through the same challenges.  Domont has directed this movie, which is really just a relationship drama, to be like a taut thriller.  It will get your heartrate up.  There is genuine suspense as to what will happen at the job and in the relationship. This is an outstanding debut film.

Furthermore, Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich are fantastic.  They have great individual moments and they are so good together.  The tension in the relationship is palpable.  There’s enough sexual energy to understand why these characters would be together, and they each have a sense of naked ambition that fuels the engine of the plot.

Ultimately, Fair Play may be mischaracterized as a thriller, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t thrilling.  This movie is an outstanding relationship drama brought to us by a promising writer/director.  There is not a wasted moment and each scene further pulls you in. Grab a big box of popcorn and enjoy!