Greta

Frances McCullen, a young woman, returns a lonely widow named Greta Hideg's lost purse and finds herself drawn into an uneasy connection with the older woman. What begins as a small act of kindness quickly grows into a complicated bond, as Greta extends hospitality and a steady stream of favors that feel flattering at first and increasingly invasive later. Frances begins to sense something off beneath Greta's cultured surface, and she tries to step back even as Greta refuses to let go. The tension stays taut as intimate gestures blur boundaries, forcing both women to confront questions of trust, longing, and the danger hidden in charm. The film tightens the focus on small acts that accumulate into control.

Directed by Neil Jordan from a story by Ray Wright, Greta arrived in 2019 as a sleek psychological thriller. The film pairs Chloë Grace Moretz with Isabelle Huppert, supported by Maika Monroe and Colm Feore, as it builds a high tension dynamic around a chance friendship that slides toward danger.

Greta did not secure major award nominations, and it did not become a staple of year end lists. Critics who did weigh in praised the performances, especially Huppert for her controlled menace and Moretz for portraying a wary, increasingly unsettled protagonist. The supporting cast offers solid, restrained work.

Even without a big cultural footprint Greta still offers a clear snapshot of power dynamics in close relationships. The film is frequently discussed in terms of how charm can mask intent and how vulnerability can be exploited. It adds to a thread of late 2010s thrillers that hinge on psychological games.

Critics generally acknowledged the film's mood, atmosphere, and pacing, with the tension built through quiet dialogue and careful editing. Central themes include manipulation, boundaries, and the ambiguity of kindness. The story invites viewers to question what they owe to strangers who show them attention.