Lila & Eve has the typical makings of a Lifetime Films production: sudden, out of context tragedy, crappy justice systems, female vigilantism, and unlikely friendships forged by way of grief. Starring Viola Davis as Lila, a mother who has lost her son in a seemingly accidental drive-by shooting, Lila & Eve is a film that can’t quite grasp a perspective and stick to it. Directed by Charles Stone III, most notably known for Drumline, his latest summer release falls short of being a thriller, yet has plenty of mind-numbing, shoot-’em-up action.
Following her son’s tragic death, Lila joins a support group for mothers of murder victims, where she meets Eve (Jennifer Lopez). From the start, Eve resists grief support and admits feeling helpless in her loss. She and Lila hit it off, and when local detectives fail to show progress or genuine care for Lila’s son’s case, Eve convinces Lila to seek justice through her own investigation into the murder.
▶︎ Streaming on Prime Video. More picks: The Best Thriller Movies on Prime Video Right Now →
Before long, the two mothers wield guns and hang out on seedy street corners, seeking clues that will bring them closer to the son’s murderer. Eve seems all too calm when triggers start to be pulled, and rest assured, they do get pulled. A lot. Amidst all this, Lila and Eve find time to donate money belonging to the drug dealer they killed to their support group and redecorate Lila’s house.
As the film progresses, a major plot twist (the film winks, nods, and outright shouts this with blatant foreshadowing) joins the mix and throws the tone of the entire film off course. Hyper-grisly imagery alongside a ludicrous narrative, with a twist and a completely far-fetched resolution thrown in for good measure, makes for a film that isn’t a serious drama or archetypal thriller. When the plot gets campy, the tone remains all too serious. When Lila finally seems relatable, vulnerable and incomprehensibly plagued by remorse in an almost touching way, the wacky traps and explosions commence.
Viola Davis’ performance as a grief-stricken mother seeking vengeance is really the only tent pole that holds up the deflating, droopy plot. However, her talents aren’t used to their full potential here, as the film only reaches as far as one dimensional characters.
CONCLUSION: Lila & Eve is an attempted female vigilante film with strong leading actresses, but has identity issues. It falls short of being a thriller or serious drama.
C-
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter
-
By: Lillian Angelle
No biography available at this time
-
-
Director Face/Off: Paul Thomas Anderson Vs. Quentin Tarantino (Part Two – Reusing Actors)
Out in Theaters: UNEXPECTED
Director Face/Off: Paul Thomas Anderson Vs. Quentin Tarantino (Part One- Tell Offs)
NETFIX: 9 Foreign Films to Watch Now That America’s Birthday is Over
Director Face/Off: Wes Anderson Vs. Richard Linklater (Part Five – Their Other Stuff)
Monthly(ish): the best reviews, the worst studio decisions, and the films worth losing sleep over.
Free. Delivered by Substack. Unsubscribe anytime.
For more reviews, interviews, and featured articles, be sure to:
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Letterboxd
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on X
- ‘WHALEFALL’ Turns an Unfilmable Scuba Diver Mukbang Into an Underwater Thriller
- Inert ‘THE SOCIAL RECKONING’ Misses Fincher Badly
- Brad Pitt and a Very Good Boy Vs. Alaska in ‘HEART OF THE BEAST’
- The Best Thriller Movies Streaming Right Now
- Best Thrillers Streaming Now: Netflix · HBO Max · Prime Video · Hulu · Peacock · Paramount+ · Tubi · Kanopy
Some links on this page are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you rent, buy, or sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.