Movie Review: ‘The Mimic’ – A Dialogue-Heavy Indie Blending Wit and Dark Humor

“One in twenty-five individuals are sociopathic… and will believe their direct lies.” Thomas F. Mazziotti‘s dark comedy ‘The Mimic‘ starts with this chilling quote from Martha Stout’s ‘The Sociopath Next Door’ setting the stage for this oddly intriguing story.

With a screenplay that thrives on clever dialogue and offbeat tension, it explores the story of a man who suspects his friend may be a sociopath and goes to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about him and his wife, who he eventually begins to fancy.

The premise is deceptively simple. A widowed screenwriter known only as “The Narrator” (played by Thomas Sadoski) suspects that his young, charming neighbour, “The Kid” (played by Jake Robinson), might be a sociopath. Their interactions begin harmlessly enough but soon evolve into a psychological game of banter, suspicion, and unsettling revelations.

Initially, you might expect “The Mimic‘ to be a straightforward dramedy, another entry in the realm of unlikely rivalries and neighbourhood drama. But its writer and director Thomas F. Mazziotti muddies this pool, creating a dialogue-heavy, character-driven comedy that is as perplexing as it is witty. The film challenges expectations, turning the seemingly humorous plot into a complex and subtle commentary on human behavior which leaves much to desired after it ends.

The Narrator forms an unlikely relationship with The Kid after he joins the community’s local newspaper writers’ meeting in his home. The Kid is intrusive, goes to do coke in his attic and falls through the ceiling with The Narrator’s dog. Convinced that he could be a sociopath and bent on proving this, The Narrator goes to the library to research the traits of a sociopath before meeting The Kid for dinner. As the two conversate at this dinner we learn more about the two characters.

As a series of other events an interaction between the two of them reveals that they could more like each other than they think.

At its core, ‘The Mimic‘ thrives on the sharp interplay between its leads. Thomas Sadoski is delightfully watchable as the paranoid and slightly awkward Narrator, though the character’s emotional depth feels underexplored. Given his backstory as a widower, moments calling for grief or vulnerability might have added more weight to his otherwise engaging performance. Jake Robinson, on the other hand, excels as the Kid, walking the fine line between likability and sinister privilege. His portrayal adds an air of ambiguity that keeps the audience guessing about his true nature.  

The banter between the two characters is the film’s heartbeat. Their conversations are littered with wit, sarcasm, and subtle jabs, delivered with impeccable timing. What could easily have felt like an overindulgence in dialogue instead becomes a highlight, thanks to the actors’ chemistry and Mazziotti’s sharp script. Even when the film feels like it’s teetering on the edge of too much talking, it remains engaging, avoiding monotony with its humour and rhythm.  

Visually, the film is surprisingly polished for an indie production. The crisp, vibrant colour palette and lush suburban landscapes create a warm yet ironic contrast to the psychological tension brewing beneath the surface. The film makes good use of its cosy setting, grounding the story in a relatable, almost tranquil setting.  

However, while the journey through ‘The Mimic‘ is enjoyable, its destination feels a bit underwhelming. The narrative wraps up in a brisk 73 minutes, but somehow it feels long perhaps due to its dense dialogue and pacing issues. When the credits rolled, I found myself staring at the screen, trying to process what I had just experienced. The one question i had to ask my self over and over again before starting to write this review was ‘Am I a sociopath?’. But I am certain I am not and if this film was made for sociopaths then it wasn’t made for me. Even with the cleverness to spark such introspection, the film’s intent still does feel elusive.

The ending doesn’t quite provide the satisfying resolution one might hope for, leaving you with more questions than answers.  

As a dialogue-driven comedy, it thrives and fortunately, it has somewhat good enough writing and strong performances to carry it through. But it doesn’t leave you satisfied enough and could struggle to be worthwhile even for fans of offbeat indie films or dark humour. And for this, I would score it 5/10.