Movie Review

Horror fans should leave You Should Have Left off their list

Writer/director David Koepp has a solid reputation in Hollywood thanks to his early days writing such hits as Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible, and the first Spider-Man. His directorial efforts, however, have been hit-and-miss, a history to keep in mind when watching his latest movie, You Should Have Left.

A so-called “psychological thriller,” the film stars Kevin Bacon as Theo Conroy, an older man whose past still haunts him. He’s currently married to Susanna (Amanda Seyfried), an actress, with whom he has a young daughter, Ella (Avery Tiiu Essex). A break in Susanna’s filming schedule gives the family an opportunity to get away, and they choose a house in Wales that will be close to Susanna’s next film set.

That turns out to be a poor decision, as almost from the moment they get there, Theo is beset by nightmares that may or may not be happening in real life. Combined with a fragile mental state that he’s been in since the death of his first wife, the situation drives Theo further and further into paranoia.

Koepp, who adapted the film from a novella by author Daniel Kehlmann, obviously intends for it to be suspenseful, but he has a lot of difficulty in building that up. Almost all of the freaky stuff that happens in the film happens to Theo, so any supernatural element is undercut by what seem to be clear-cut mental issues.

At one point, Theo and Susanna have an argument, and Susanna notes how much easier it would be if Theo yelled at her instead of seething quietly. The same can be said of the film as a whole, as Bacon underplays many of the moments that deserve bigger reactions, making it difficult to get into the spirit of what the story should be.

In case it isn’t already obvious, the film is hardly scary at all. Koepp calls upon composer Geoff Zanelli to amplify moments that should be frightening with your typical horror movie music, but that cliché pulls you out of the story, not into it. When the big twist inevitably comes, it elicits a shrug and a “Huh?” instead of being a mind-blowing development.

Even with all of the story faults, Bacon and Seyfried work well together despite their significant (27 years!) age difference. The film makes fun of that gap at several points, giving the audience permission to accept the oddity. Their relationship still isn’t wholly believable, but their acting makes up for any lack. Essex keeps up with them, and it’s easy to see her developing into another great young actress.

Many of us, especially horror fans, are starved for entertainment during this time in relative isolation, but You Should Have Left is not the satisfying meal it should have been. It makes promises on which it can’t deliver, and will likely make little dent on the 2020 movie landscape.

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You Should Have Left is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Xfinity, Vudu, GooglePlay, FandangoNow, and more on-demand options.

Kevin Bacon in You Should Have Left.

Kevin Bacon in You Should Have Left

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

Kevin Bacon in You Should Have Left.

Weekend Event Planner

These are the 18 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

Big Tex and State Fair of Texas at sunset

Photo courtesy of the State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas starts its 24-day run at Fair Park on September 29.

The last weekend of September was already a big one in Dallas because of the start of the State Fair of Texas. But this year that major event will be competing with a ton of other big happenings, including seven concerts with notable names, the start of six local theater productions, a symphony concert, and a trio of comedy performances.

Big Tex and State Fair of Texas at sunset

Photo courtesy of the State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas starts its 24-day run at Fair Park on September 29.

Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, September 28

Luke Bryan in concert
Since his debut album in 2011, country singer Luke Bryan has been as consistent as they come, with each of his five albums featuring all-original songs going to No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts and making at least the top 5 on the Billboard 200. He's also upped his profile by appearing on The Voice and, since 2018, serving as a judge on American Idol. He'll play at Dos Equis Pavilion in support of his 2022 compilation album, Prayin' In A Deer Stand.

Wilco in concert
Alt-rock band Wilco is one of those groups who has always scored well with music critics and its loyal fanbase, even if their albums have rarely become big hits. They have released 13 albums over 28 years, including the new Cousin, with their heyday coming from 2004-2011, when they had four straight top 10 albums on the Billboard 200. They'll play at South Side Ballroom.

Undermain Theatre presents Bondage
Bondage, making its regional premiere at Undermain Theatre, takes place pre-Emancipation on a small island in the South. With the onset of puberty, Zuri must use her wits to outsmart the twisted desires of a drunken master and a sadistic mistress on a haunted plantation. Hierarchies of race and gender collide in this AfroSurreal tale of an enslaved girl who dares to follow her own instincts toward liberation by any means. The production will run through October 15.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Copland and Liszt"
"Copland and Liszt," featuring conductor Fabio Luisi, clarinetist Anthony McGill, tenor Carl Tanner, and the Dallas Symphony Chorus, will include William Schuman's American Festival Overture, Copland's Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, and Liszt's A Faust Symphony. It will be performed on Thursday and Sunday only at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Theatre Three presents Lizzie: The Musical
Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in the late summer of 1892. Lizzie: The Musical explores the mind of Borden and speculates on the motivations she may have had: overwhelming oppression, abuse, and madness. By her side is her older sister Emma, maid Bridget, and neighbor Alice. Together, the four women tell the story of why the legend of Lizzie Borden was born with an electric punk rock score. The production runs at Theatre Three through October 29.

Friday, September 29

State Fair of Texas
The 24-day, four-weekend extravaganza that is the State Fair of Texas returns, with its impressive butter sculptures, nightly fireworks, oodles of fried food, and more. Visitors can try all the new concoctions, check out the Midway, enjoy free concerts from artists like Lonestar, Ceelo Green, and Lil Jon, or take a trip to the top of the Top 'o Texas Tower. Just make sure you don't pay full price for your tickets! The Fair goes on at Fair Park through October 22.

Pink in concert
It can be difficult for a singer to maintain a certain image over a long period of time, but Pink - or, if you prefer, P!nk - has managed to do just that. She's stuck with her version of pop/rock for over 20 years, and her fans have rewarded her by pushing her to the top of the charts with every album, including the new Trustfall. She'll play at Globe Life Field in Arlington as part of her Summer Carnival Tour, joined by Brandi Carlile, Grouplove, and KidCutUp.

Company of Rowlett Performers presents Arsenic and Old Lace
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor - they killed him. Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family. The production runs through October 8 at Garland Civic Theatre.

Cara Mía Theatre presents We Have Iré
We Have Iré is a bilingual musical play about the triumphant journeys of artists from Cuba’s countryside to the United States and back. Brought together by their common pursuit of achieving their dreams, their stories come to life through Afro-Caribbean music, contemporary dance, spoken word, storytelling, and jazz. Cara Mía Theatre will put on three performances through Sunday at Latino Cultural Center.

Art Centre Theatre presents Fire Bringer
At the dawn of humanity, one tribe of cave-people survives the many trials of prehistoric life under the wise leadership of Jemilla, The Peacemaker. But one member of the tribe doesn't seem to fit in: Zazzalil. While out hatching her latest scheme, Zazzalil stumbles upon the most important discovery in history. One that will pit her tribe against wooly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and change the world forever. The production, featuring separate adult and teen casts, runs through October 15 at Art Centre Theatre in Plano.

Texas Theatre presents Christopher Titus
Christopher Titus is a prolific stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer. He is currently performing his ninth 90-minute special "Stories I Shouldn't Tell, while his most recent hit special, “Amerigeddon,” is available on Amazon. He also has a podcast,The Armageddon Update/Titus Podcast. He'll perform at Texas Theatre.

Russell Peters: "Act Your Age World Tour"
Canadian comedian Russell Peters holds the distinction of being the first comedian to get a Netflix stand-up special with 2013's Notorious. He's gone on to have another Netflix special and one for Amazon Prime Video, starred in a variety of movies and TV shows, and toured the world. Peters will be at Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie as part of his "Act Your Age World Tour," in which he gives his hilarious takes on cancel culture, aging, and the current state of the world.

Girls Gotta Eat: "Snack City Tour"
Ashley and Rayna from the comedy podcast Girls Gotta Eat come to Dallas as part of their "Snack City Tour," in which they and special guests will answer burning questions about sex, dating, and relationships in a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience. No one leaves without a fresh outlook on dating and at least one new ab from laughing. They'll perform at Majestic Theatre.

Theatre Coppell presents The Mousetrap
In The Mousetrap, a murder mystery play by Agatha Christie, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse as news spreads of a murder in London. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. The production runs through October 15 at Coppell Arts Center.

Saturday, September 30

Maluma in concert
Colombian rapper/singer Maluma has been near or at the top of the Billboard Latin charts since his 2015 sophomore album, Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy. Since then he's collaborated with a bunch of other big artists, including Marc Anthony, Jason Derulo, Shakira, Madonna, and The Weeknd, as well as Jennifer Lopez, with whom he co-starred in the 2022 film Marry Me. He'll perform at American Airlines Center in support of his new album, Don Juan.

RBD in concert
Mexican Latin pop group RBD was huge in their native country and across Latin and South America in the 2000s, starting with their 2004 debut album, Rebelde. The group, which gained popularity due to them starring on the telenovela of the same name, would go on to release five albums (including versions in both Portuguese and English) before disbanding in 2009. Now they've reunited to celebrate that first album and more with the Soy Rebelde Tour. They'll perform at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Sunday, October 1

Depeche Mode in concert
There are few bands who have been able to maintain both the passion and popularity to keep a career going for over 40 years, but Depeche Mode is one of those rare acts. They have released 15 albums since 1981, including the new Memento Mori, with every one of them since 1990 making the top 15 in both their native UK and the U.S. They'll play at American Airlines Center.

Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service in concert
It's rare for a singer to be well-known for two different groups, but Ben Gibbard has accomplished that feat. For 25 years, he's headed up Death Cab for Cutie, which reached its peak with 2005's Plans, featuring the hit "Soul Meets Body." But he also did a side project in 2003 with producer Jimmy Tamborello and Jenny Lewis called The Postal Service, producing a single album, Give Up, which featured the ubiquitous hit "Such Great Heights." The two bands will join forces for a special concert at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie.

comedy concerts event-planner families kids music state-fair symphony theater

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