🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jacob Aaron Estes
- Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror, Mystery, Drama
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 43min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (23K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 40%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A cop keeps getting calls from his dead niece’s phone, so he uses her as his own personal time-traveling detective to solve her murder…before it happens, obvi.
🍿 Don’t Let Go: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Initial Tragedy and a Mysterious Call
Detective Jack Radcliff has a close relationship with his niece, Ashley. One day, he finds her and her parents murdered. Shortly after, he receives a phone call from Ashley’s phone, which is supposed to be in evidence. This leads him to a shocking realization.

Communicating Through Time
Jack discovers that Ashley is calling him from two weeks in the past, before the murders. He realizes he has a chance to change the course of events and save her family. They work together, using the phone to share information between the past and present, creating complex paradoxes.

Unraveling the Conspiracy
As Jack and Ashley try to prevent the murders, they uncover a deeper conspiracy involving dirty cops and drug dealings. Their investigation leads them down a dangerous path, forcing them to confront powerful and corrupt figures within the police force. The stakes rise as they get closer to the truth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jack Radcliff (David Oyelowo): A determined detective who receives phone calls from his deceased niece, allowing him to try and prevent her murder.
- Ashley Radcliff (Storm Reid): Jack’s niece who calls him from the past, unknowingly setting off a chain of events to prevent her family’s murder.
- Bobby Owens (Mykelti Williamson): Jack’s partner who is secretly the corrupt officer behind Ashley and her family’s murder.
- Garret Radcliff (Brian Tyree Henry): Jack’s brother and Ashley’s father who gets caught up in drug dealing leading to his family’s demise.
- Howard Keleshian (Alfred Molina): Jack’s boss, who is concerned about Jack’s state of mind and investigation.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ashley: “Uncle Jack, it’s happening again!” – Ashley’s frantic call to Jack before her death, signaling the impending danger and urgency.
- Jack: “I’m gonna figure this out, Ashley. I promise.” – Jack’s vow to his niece after realizing they are communicating through time and he has a chance to save her.
- Jack: “Tell me something only you would know.” – Jack asks Ashley for a personal detail to verify that it is really her calling from the past.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $5,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $5,215,062
- Worldwide Gross: $5,288,011
💥 Don’t Let Go Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this thinking it would be a cheesy time-travel flick, but I was pleasantly surprised! David Oyelowo is amazing, and the bond with his niece, Ashley, felt so real. The ending was a little predictable, but it still got me choked up. The pacing was a bit off though, some scenes felt rushed and others dragged a bit. Overall, it was an enjoyable watch, especially if you are into crime thrillers!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers with a science fiction twist”
- “Viewers interested in time travel and paradox storylines”
- “Those who enjoy movies with strong emotional cores and family themes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and bloodshed”
- “Mature themes involving murder and drug use”
- “Occasional strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Hollywood Reporter: “While the performances are solid, the film struggles with its pacing and convoluted plot. The initial premise is intriguing, but the execution doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The time-travel elements feel underdeveloped, and the film ultimately relies too heavily on genre tropes.
- IndieWire: “Don’t Let Go has strong performances, but is ultimately a flawed thriller with an overcomplicated story. The premise is interesting, but it has difficulty balancing its crime drama elements with the sci-fi premise. There is not enough focus on the emotional impact which could have made the movie more satisfying.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers praised the unique premise of an uncle and niece communicating through time via phone.: Audiences generally agreed that the film had a compelling concept and good performances, but was not always well-executed.
Overall Consensus: While praised for its premise and performances, ‘Don’t Let Go’ received mixed reviews for its pacing, convoluted plot, and overall execution. Enjoyable but flawed.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was originally titled ‘Relive’.”
- “The movie deals with themes of time travel and changing events in the past to affect the future, similar to ‘Frequency’ and ‘The Butterfly Effect’.”
- “The producers wanted to explore the dynamic between an uncle and niece in a high-stakes, suspenseful scenario.”
🖥️ How to Watch Don’t Let Go?
Don’t Let Go is available for streaming purchase or rental on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for availability and pricing. Some cable providers may also offer on-demand viewing options. Look for purchase options to own the digital copy for repeated viewing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Don’t Let Go, you might like these similar films:
- Frequency (2000): Shares the premise of communicating with a deceased relative through time to prevent a tragedy.
- The Butterfly Effect (2004): Explores the consequences of altering past events and their unpredictable impact on the future.
- Prisoners (2013): Deals with a detective solving a crime with time running out and a similar dark, suspenseful atmosphere.
🛒 Don’t Let Go Related Products
- Don’t Let Go Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie’s original poster. Perfect for fans to display their love for the film.
- Blu-ray Edition of Don’t Let Go: Experience the suspense and intrigue of ‘Don’t Let Go’ in high definition with exclusive behind-the-scenes content and interviews.
- David Oyelowo Signed Photo: A rare, autographed picture of the lead actor, David Oyelowo, capturing a key moment from the movie. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
- Don’t Let Go: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Digital): Immerse yourself in the movie’s atmosphere with the complete soundtrack, featuring suspenseful and emotional scores.
🎧 Soundtrack
Don’t Let Go features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The movie follows a detective who receives phone calls from his recently murdered niece, who is calling from the past. He races against time to solve her murder before it happens.
The killer is revealed to be Detective Jack Radcliff’s partner, Bobby Owens. He was involved with Jack’s brother in drug dealings and wanted to cover his tracks.
Yes, Don’t Let Go involves elements of time travel, as the characters communicate across different time periods to prevent a crime.
🔥 Bonus Content
WAVES: YOUR SIGN TO LET GO
Ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? This video essay uses ‘Waves’ as a springboard to talk about anger, forgiveness, and finding your own freedom. It’s surprisingly insightful, you might actually find some comfort there!
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