Brazen (2022) Netflix Review- Netflix is something that allows people to watch films and shows just whenever they want, as it makes content accessible without patrons having to flock to cinema halls. At times, it proves to be a boon, as audiences have outstanding content available at the tip of their fingers.

However, on certain occasions, it is a bane, as such streaming platforms are the reason mediocre content also gets a platform. In fact, calling Brazen mediocre would be high praise to whoever concocted, or, more importantly, approved this atrocious first draft or cut masquerading as a film.

Starring Alyssa Milano and Sam Page in lead roles and featuring Malachi Weir, Emilie Ullerup, Matthew Finlan, and Alison Araya in pivotal supporting roles, Brazen is a rehashed tale of a murder and the procedural pursuit to find the culprit. 

The film begins at a book reading session where director Monika Mitchell manages to give a shout-out to her source material by giving her lead character, Grace Mitchell, Nora Roberts‘ novel (Brazen Virtue). As the author reads a line from Grace Mitchell’s Brazen Virtue, you get entranced by the description of the events and cue to the investigation to commence. Unfortunately, from there on out, once she shuts the book, there aren’t too many good things to say. 

What’s good in Brazen (Netflix)?

The idea behind Brazen is good as the film explores the concept of Dominatrix and positions them as the victims. Another positive is that it provided people with a take on how not to execute a film. While writing this, I began to think about Brazen even more. The more I thought about it, the more I began disliking this effort. 

What’s not good in Brazen (Netflix)?

Brazen seemed disjointed, filled with holes, and hastily cobbled together. It was predictable and seemed to have suffered from too many writers (Edithe Swensen, Donald Martin, and Suzette Couture) wanting their ideas put out there.

As we moved closer to the climax, there didn’t seem to be any doubt about who the killer was. The writer trio and the director seemed to have envisioned that as well, since they ensured the killer was unmasked in the final confrontation. 

This was not ‘a mask slips off during the scuffle’, rather the masked individual unmasked voluntarily. Those who want to defend this film may argue that it was to show the deductive power of the author, but how she got there also was just thrown together. 

The most jarring part was when Grace had conversations with her sister Kathleen’s (Desiree) ex-husband. The camera positioned itself at such a weird angle that at times one, or even both characters, were blocked by bystanders on the screen. What was the point of this? It’s not as though Grace was being stalked and the director wanted to show the stalker’s point of view. 

Additionally, the police captain dismissing her detective’s theories over the reckless ideas of a civilian could be classified as brazen cheek; at least in the eyes of the detective. Brazen‘s leads reminded me of Richard Castle and Kate Beckett from Castle. It made me want to watch that show again to appreciate the police officer/civilian dynamic. 

Verdict

After watching Brazen, you will remember many other films and shows, or even episodes of shows. You may claim that such shows were way better than this Netflix film. 

It is usually said that case studies of good films encourage and show budding filmmakers the template of what works. Perhaps course makers could opt to include a section to talk about films that could have been way better but didn’t live up to the promise. And within that section, Brazen will be a fitting choice.

After watching Brazen, (try to avoid it if you really aren’t a fan of murder mysteries or thrillers P.S.- avoid it even if you are a fan) you may wonder who had the brazen cheek to green signal this film for the masses. Brazen is something you could give to someone to watch as a forfeit.