'Heel' Review: Stephen Graham's Twisted Thriller Loses Its Nerve

Directed by Jan Komasa, Heel begins as a twisted kidnapping mystery that deepens into a character-driven study. The film’s strong first act and banner ensemble hold attention, but a disappointing final stretch leaves many questions unresolved. A decadent montage opens on Tommy (Anson Boon) bingeing through the Yorkshire night.

Later, immigrant job-seeker Rina (Monika Frajczyk) accepts a position at a remote estate, signs an NDA, and has her phone confiscated. Host Chris (Stephen Graham) introduces his pale, quiet wife Kathryn (Andrea Riseborough) and their son Jonathan before leading Rina to the cellar, where Tommy is chained; she is given pepper spray and a taser to keep on hand.

The second act reframes Chris and his family, exposing a manipulative power structure and complicating initial impressions. Riseborough reveals Kathryn as both formidable and vulnerable, while Graham gives Chris remarkable range as a man determined to please her.

United Kingdom, Yorkshire

heel, stephen graham, jan komasa, andrea riseborough, anson boon, monika frajczyk, kidnapping, yorkshire, nda, character study