'Profile' is good – but it could be better | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Community

'Profile' is good – but it could be better

Based on a true story, an undercover British journalist tries to expose a terrorist recruiter through social media

158
'Profile' is good – but it could be better
Credit: Courtesy of BEZELEVS and Focus Features

In 2015, it was common to see the multiple headlines in the news with the same meanings: Teenage girl leaves Western civilization, joins extremist group.

But it's hard to see things from the outcast's point of view. Why would somebody do that? And how could somebody convince a young woman to drop everything for a new life. Based on a 2015 nonfiction bestseller "In the Skin of a Jihadist," "Profile" explores these thoughts with director Timur Bekmambetov's vision .

For fans of Screenlife, the filmmaking format played out entirely on a computer screen like "Searching" and "Unfriended," there's a new film to see.

PROFILE - Official Trailer - In Theaters May 14www.youtube.com

Freelance journalist Amy Whittaker (Valene Kane) is assigned a story about online radicalization and given a chance to join a newsroom staff. With pressures to impress, Amy creates a fake Facebook account under the name Melody Nelson, a recent religious convert who lives in London. After sharing extremist posts as Melody, she connects with Abu Bilel (Shazad Latif), a London-born militant.

Within the safety of a keyboard and video chat, she experiences recruitment first-hand and tries not to fall for Bilal's charm in the process.

"Profile" has an interesting premise. Knowing the plot and nothing else, the protagonist's covert mission sounds like a bad idea because journalists aren't trained to be undercover agents. So audiences preemptively go into this movie thinking the worst scenarios happen. They're expecting to hate Bilel, and for some that won't change.

But for others, they'll find Bilel charming and intimidating. And the film does a scary good job of humanizing a terrorist and seeing the effect it has on Amy. Look – he cooks curry, plays soccer and offers company for a woman who feels isolated in a situation she placed herself in. Ignore the fact that he's dangerous, and viewers have one of the best bachelors up for grabs. But then, the storytelling falls apart at the seams in the third act.

It's certainly not 'Searching'

When comparing "Profile" to "Searching" for example, it was a much weaker film that could've been better. Maybe expectations were high because of "Searching," a film starring John Cho as a father looking for his missing daughter. But in things that "Searching" did right, "Profile" failed.

Amy wasn't likable at any point. She acts aggressively, ignores plans and conversations with her loved ones and makes extremely dumb mistakes. So it makes viewers' motivation to care about her story tank by the minute. Cho's character David in "Searching" is extremely intelligent, relatable and kind yet brutal when needed. His story is easy to feel emotional toward as the plot snowballs into one twist after the other.

In "Searching," there are plenty of impactful scenes in which we didn't have to see the protagonist's face. Voiceovers and a few clicks over multiple mediums like Skype, FaceTime, social media, livestreams and security cameras did most of the storytelling. Whereas in "Profile" most of the storytelling is told through Skype video calls and instant messaging or Facebook videos and posts. It had a lot of potential to take advantage of its landscape as a Screenlife film, but it didn't deliver the same goosebumps or blows as Bekmambetov's previous projects.

Nevertheless, for those looking for a thrilling tale told in an original format, this is still an entertaining movie. Just know that it could've been so much better.

Score: 7/10

"Profile" opens in theaters on Friday, May 14.

Follow the reporter on Twitter at @s_incorvaia.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

732
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

26799
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11205
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments