Kaleidoscope is an uncomfortable, taut thriller about a man and his mother. That’s the shortest, simplest version. In truth, the film is a bit harder to piece together largely because of how it’s told. In this regard, Kaleidoscope is a remarkably fitting name. Writer/director Rupert Jones utilizes repetition and a broken chronology to let the story unfold, with new perspectives and information constantly adjusting the audience’s understanding. Toby Jones leads with admirable skill, conjuring both sympathy and disgust in viewers. It is countless pieces coming together as an intriguing yet chaotic display. While it isn’t without its shortcomings, it works around them to make an ultimately enjoyable experience that should make for good conversations around how we tell stories.
