Message Received

A young woman, Eliza, inherits a remote house and discovers a hidden room containing audio recordings that reveal a dark family secret. As she listens to the tapes, she becomes entangled in a dangerous mystery that spans decades. The recordings chronicle the life of her mother and her forbidden love affair, hinting at a crime that was never solved. Eliza must piece together the truth before she becomes the next victim.

Message Received received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding the plot predictable and the execution lacking tension. While some appreciated the attempt at a suspenseful mystery, the film was largely criticized for its pacing and underdeveloped characters. Audience scores were similarly lukewarm, with viewers often citing a disappointing conclusion.

• The film struggles to build suspense and relies on tired thriller tropes.

• Performances are inconsistent, failing to elevate the predictable narrative.

• The central mystery is unraveled in a way that feels anticlimactic and unsatisfying.

Google audience: Audience reviews for Message Received were generally unenthusiastic. Many viewers found the plot to be derivative and the thriller elements not engaging enough. The film's resolution was frequently cited as a letdown, leaving many feeling the build-up was not worth the payoff.

The film was shot in various locations across South Africa, utilizing the country's diverse landscapes to create the isolated and atmospheric setting.