Straddling the line between political thriller and intense character study, Zal Batmanglij's The East is a powerful story that never loses focus of its end goal. And while the film will occasionally show its budget, Batmanglij uses his stars to distract from the shortfalls, allowing them to fill the screen and sell their story as they chug along in an unorthodox David v. Goliath battle.
In the film, Brit Marling stars as Sarah, an operative for an elite private intelligence firm who is hired to infiltrate an anarchist group to ensure her company's client isn't the group's next target. But as Sarah begins to spend more time with those who call themselves The East, she does what any human does when time and experiences are shared between people -- she bonds. But as the situation escalates and the line between right and wrong becomes blurred, Sarah will be forced to make a decision as she finds herself pitted between her job and those she has grown to understand.
The film flies by as Batmanglij refuses to ever let it slow down, pushing the story forward with each scene, ultimately diving deep within Sarah's psyche and allowing the audience to fully understand her mindset. Marling shares a strong chemistry with both Skarsgard and Page (two members of The East), and their bond drives the film during its unflattering moments, which are few and far between to begin with.
The East is gritty, raw, and real to its core, giving viewers an unusual experience as it wanders down a path of unfamiliarity. The film gives off a truly unique vibe as its dialogue showcases the creative intelligence that rests behind the details. By proving this early on, Batmanglij is able to stir up a sense of uncertainty, causing everyone to second guess their preconceived notion and await the character's true fate to be revealed. Much like Sarah learns, The East isn't all about first impressions -- or last for that matter.
