Rachel Review: Zoë Kravitz leads thriller in HBO Max’s new film Kimi

Writer David Koepp and Director Steven Soderbergh came together and made the film “Kimi,” which released on Feb. 10, on HBO Max. The film stars Zoë Kravitz as the lead of this technologically fueled thriller.

The film “Kimi” follows Angela, played by Kravitz, who works for a tech company. The tech company is called Kimi, a virtual assistant like Alexa or Siri, the only difference being that mistakes aren’t solved by an AI but rather a real live person like Angela helps solve it. 

Angela has a fear of going outside and experiencing new situations, in this world they are also experiencing COVID-19. Angela comes across a recording in her work of a crime being committed. In her attempt to help the victim and report it she must face her fear of going outside her apartment. Unfortunately she is also met with the people trying to cover up the crime.

Everything I’ve seen Kravitz in, she stands out, she does excellently. There is no doubt that she is a great actress. I guess my problem with all of the roles I have seen her in is that she plays characters with so much potential and suave that you fall in love with her. Then the movie is over, or her character is killed, the show is canceled. So many examples of her just being cut right before she is about to shine on an Oscar and Emmy level.

At least in the film “Kimi,” she is the lead, all eyes are on her and Kravitz doesn’t waste it. This is probably the first role I have seen her in where her character is given a justified and proper end. It still sucks though because the film is only an hour and a half, this film could have easily become a standout in her career, they just had to play it safe.

Besides the fact that the film is short, the writing done by Koepp is solid, like everything he does. The introduction of the main character Angela is practically flawless and should be studied for how main character introductions should be done. Through the technology Angela uses is how the audience understands and connects to Angela.

The film is clearly solely focused on Angela, but does bring in some side story lines that don’t exactly hurt the story but at the same time lessen the audience’s experience. The side storylines are solely to progress Angela’s along.

This film might sound familiar, the character who is a shut-in is witness to something horrifying and does what they can to solve the mystery. Kind of like a recent show I reviewed. But this film “Kimi” doesn’t quite care that it’s something similar to what you have heard, because it knows it’s story is solid.

“Kimi” is enjoyable and is able to keep you engaged in the moment. I honestly didn’t know how it was going to end when in the climax, but it all came together in a clever and story sealed way.

It’s worth the watch because it gives you all you need, and it’s hard to complain with that.