We can grow up, move away from home and establish a whole new life but we can’t always outrun our pasts. And sometimes our pasts run into us. A chance encounter with his past puts Simon Callem on a course to self-destruction in the thriller The Gift.

When up and coming salesman Simon Callem (Jason Bateman) returns to his home state with his young and talented wife he is prepared to start a new chapter in his life instead he is forced to revisit a past chapter he’d rather forget when he bumps into former classmate, Gordon (Joel Edgerton). Gordo seems to pop up everywhere the Callems are, including their front step – and always with a gift in hand.

The more persistent Gordo is the more uncomfortable Simon becomes. He tries to dodge Gordo’s attempts at reconnection and mocks him constantly behind his back. When questioned by his wife, Robin (Rebecca Hall), as to why he dislikes Gordo so much, Simon gives vague reasons.

When Simon eventually tells Gordo to back off, he does disappear – but so does the Callem’s dog. Their fish also wind up dead. When the police are contacted, it is discovered that Gordo isn’t who he said he was. And neither is Simon.

Robin discovers that Simon was a self-centered bully in high school and he make Gordo’s life miserable. Because of rumors Simon spread, Gordo’s life took a violent and devastating turn, a turn that Gordo never recovered from and never forgave Simon for. Gordo is willing to go to great lengths to dismantle Simon’s life just as his own was destroyed. As the power struggle intensifies, survival becomes anyone’s game.

The Gift is Joel Edgerton’s baby. He wrote it and made it his directorial debut. He also plays the lead role of Gordo to perfection. Critics were well pleased with his efforts, praising him for the focus, tone and pace of the film. They compared it to genre classics like The Hand that Rocks the Cradle and Fatal Attraction. Praise was also heaped on Bateman for taking his natural charisma and likability and turning it into a sociopaths best tool.

All in, The Gift, is a suspenseful and satisfying thriller watch. It’s an excellent pick for a movie night .. you just may want to leave the light on!