Within the first few minutes of Netflix's latest crime thriller Windfall, you realise this is another retro-inspired movie. The style, the colour palette, the music, and even how the title and credits play throughout the opening sequence are reminiscent of mystery thrillers that would fit well with the 40s and 50s. Some of the setups even remind you of an old-school Hitchcockian thriller.
Directed by Charlie McDowell and with a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker and Justin Lader, Windfall tells a simple story with a few twists and turns. There's also a limited cast with only four characters on screen. The feel of this movie is quiet and impatient as it slowly builds anxiety. However, this is one of those movies I feel could have been better than it is. Even though it has a lot to offer, from the great performances of the actors and that classic style, there's something missing that keeps it from being memorable.
