THE AISLE SEAT - Mike McGranahan (RT Critic)
“It’s the kind of thriller that feels 100% plausible, which makes it creepy on a whole other level.”
THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS - Kat Hughes (RT Critic)
“Triggering, traumatic, and chest-tighteningly tense, Restless grabs the audience by the jugular and forces them to experience one of real-life’s worst nightmares.”
“What makes Restless work so well is that Hart expertly creates tension at any given opportunity.”
“The vibrancy of the tension is so much that chests will tighten and palms will start sweating.”
“The other element working in Restless’ favour is that many of the audience will be able to identify with Nicky’s situation.”
“Lyndsey Marshall is exceptional as Nicky.”
“Every aspect of Nicky’s psyche has been carefully crafted and she makes for a fascinating lead character made authentic by Marshall’s astute performance.”
“Wickedly traumatic and tense, Restless is an apt name for the film as it will leave the audience feeling exactly that.”
MAVEN’S NEST - Nora Lee Mandel (RT Critic)
“Enormously entertaining! Sleep deprivation from a new noisy, scary neighbor strains a middle-aged caregiver, tipping her over the edge. For herself (and audience wondering how low she'll go), she cleverly, yet believably, ratchets up efforts to stop him.”
MOVIEJAWN - Gary Kramer (RT Critic)
“Jed Hart’s nifty directorial debut”
“Restless really should be retitled Relentless because this darkly comic thriller never lets up.”
“Restless features a highly satisfying confrontation sequence that validates all the anxiety leading up to it.“
“The film also benefits from outstanding sound design and a terrific performance by Marshal, who makes Nicky’s frustrations palpable right up to the last minute.
SCREEN ANARCHY - Olga Artemyeva (RT Critic)
“A thriller with some dark comedy bits, Hart’s debut will surely turn out relatable to lots of people”
“An effective feature debut. It’s a simple yet relatable story.”
“The leading lady never disappoints, though. Lyndsey Marshal gives a powerful performance, projecting both vulnerability and inner strength, rationality and the capacity for rampage.”
“Jed Hart’s screenplay is another delight as it is compact, concise and manages to throw in a few minor details seemingly for comedic relief that later pay off, putting a nice, satisfactory bow on the whole story.”
SUNSHINE STATE CINEPLEX - Alan French (RT Critic)
“Director Jed Hart takes the frustrations that everyone’s had with their neighbors at one time and blows them out to show the worst-case scenario. It’s a funny and somewhat dark comedy.”
“With an ever-building sense of tension, Restless delivers on its thriller premise."
THE MOVIE WAFFLER - Eric Hillis
“Don't sleep on this one.”
“Restless is a strikingly assured directorial debut.”
“Displaying remarkable confidence in his craft, Hart takes what in most hands would be a standard piece of gritty British social realism and elevates the story with a bag of cinematic tricks that never clashes with the everyday drama.”
“That Hart manages to meld elements of social realism, black comedy and psychological thriller into such a satisfying concoction is a remarkable feat for such a first-timer.”
“His script is cleverly constructed and filled with so many satisfying pay-offs that it could be taught in screenwriting classes as an example of low budget storytelling.”
“Restless feels expansive and larger than life while also being all too relatable for any viewers who have found themselves struggling to get a decent night's kip.”
HORROR FUEL - Joseph Perry
“A welcome, solid entry in the neighbors-from-Hell genre-film category, this one being a thriller with darkly comic elements.”
“The tension and stress brought on by that character’s constant partying and threatening demeanor will ring true for international viewers.”
“Restless is driven by a superb performance from Marshal, who captures the frustrations of her character and the lengths that they drive her to splendidly.”
The film’s cold open gives viewers an idea of what Nicky might be capable of, but Hart plays off of our expectations wonderfully with some wholly unexpected twists on that and other situations. “McAuley is terrific in his role, as well, encapsulating well the selfish, boorish type of neighbor that many viewers will have had unfortunate experience with.”
“Hart ratchets up the suspense masterfully””
“A fascinating and sometimes funny cinematic ride.”
BLOODY DISGUSTING - Megan Navarro
“A genre-bender that all but promises to surprise”
JOSH AT THE MOVIES - Allison Brown
“Writer/director Jed Hart’s impresses in his debut feature”
“Classical music aficionados will assuredly find easter eggs in the symphonic score.”
“Heart-pumping, comedic thriller!”