Sharper
Performance & Direction: Sharper Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Sharper (2023) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and Sharper features a noteworthy lineup led by Julianne Moore . Supported by the likes of Sebastian Stan and Justice Smith , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Sharper
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2023, Sharper is a Thriller, Crime film directed by Benjamin Caron. The narrative builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Julianne Moore.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. A small, wealthy family in New York City gets progressively torn apart by secrets, lies, and the theft that orchestrates all of it. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside Julianne Moore. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Julianne Moore's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Ending Explained: Sharper
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Benjamin Caron, Sharper concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Julianne Moore, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Sharper reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Sharper Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Sharper incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, crime film directed by Benjamin Caron, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Julianne Moore's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Sharper adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Sharper?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Thriller films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Julianne Moore or the director
- Want suspenseful moments and mystery
Top Cast: Sharper
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Sharper Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Apple TV
Apple TV Amazon ChannelSharper Parents Guide & Age Rating
2023 AdvisoryWondering about Sharper age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Sharper is 115 minutes (1h 55m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, Sharper is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2023 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sharper worth watching?
Sharper is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Sharper parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Sharper identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Sharper?
The total duration of Sharper is 115 minutes, which is approximately 1h 55m long.
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Critic Reviews for Sharper
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/sharper-review "Sharper is a psychological thriller driven and marked by compelling characters, but the lack of exploration of the various themes presented and an abrupt conclusion leave a slightly bitter aftertaste. The twist-filled narrative keeps viewers on their toes, but they're unlikely to be surprised by the easily anticipated developments. Benjamin Caron makes the viewing more interesting with a strong, visually appealing direction, and the cast also deserves praise, especially Briana Middleton. I recommend it to fans of the genre, but be warned that the ending holds enough potential to, in some way, either spoil or elevate the overall experience." Rating: C+
Sharper is a crime drama that follows four individuals involved in conspiracy, theft, and betrayal. The plot follows a disjointed structure, where you spend four chapters with each of our main characters at different times in their lives. I really enjoyed this aspect as it made the narrative non-linear, forcing the audience to try to piece together the mystery as well as the chronological order of the film. This allure began to wear off after the third scene change, as it became quite predictable. Our performances were pretty solid all around. Sebastian Stan is really good, and I am quite enjoying him in these more villainous roles, similar to his role in Fresh. Julian Moore and Briana Middleton were both highlights as well, their emotional range is fantastic. Justice Smith was okay at best. Overall, this movie was an okay watch. It was paced pretty well for a two-hour runtime and had a lot of twists and turns throughout, even though the premise runs its course to absolute predictability by the third act. Score: 64% | Verdict: Decent
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
