“Windfall”

A robbery, three characters, one house

By: Avery Wageman

“Windfall,” Netflix’s newest thriller, follows Nobody, played by Jason Segel, who breaks into the remote vacation home of a Jeff Bezos-type and his wife (simply named Husband and Wife), holding them hostage as they wait for the ransom cash to be delivered. 

The small cast and single-location setting of “Windfall” creates a very intimate look at the dynamics between the three main characters, exploring intersections of class and gender roles through their dialogue. 

Despite Nobody’s vague characterization as a desperate working-class man looking for some quick cash, I almost empathize with him considering Husband’s ability to easily access half a million dollars, enough money to change any regular person’s life. It’s hard to empathize with a billionaire that gives a Kim Kardashian-esque “It seems like nobody wants to work these days” rant. 

Along with the movie’s over-arching class critique, the crooning jazz soundtrack and gradual pacing of “Windfall” make it feel like an old drama thriller reminiscent of “And Then There Were None.” The 92-minute film moves at a sluggish pace for much of its duration but concludes with a literally jaw-dropping ending. 

Though “Windfall” is nothing special, it’s a carefully crafted film with small details that may require a second viewing. I would totally recommend this film to anyone looking for a thriller that doesn’t cause you heart palpitations but rather inspires a hunger to eat the rich.