He promised her everything—but behind the promise was a past that refused to stay buried
Inspired by one of the most chilling real-life mysteries in American crime history, All Good Things (2010) is a haunting psychological drama that peels back the glossy veneer of wealth and privilege to reveal the twisted rot underneath. Directed by Andrew Jarecki in his narrative film debut, this suspense-filled tale is loosely based on the life and suspected crimes of real estate heir Robert Durst. With its moody atmosphere and slow-burning dread, the film takes us on a disturbing journey through a relationship built on charm, unravelled by obsession, and ultimately swallowed by secrets.
Ryan Gosling stars as David Marks, a soft-spoken man from a powerful New York family who appears to have everything—money, status, and a beautiful, loving wife, Katie (Kirsten Dunst). But beneath David's composed exterior lies an emotional abyss shaped by childhood trauma and the suffocating expectations of his cold, domineering father. As David tries to escape the family business, his grip on reality starts to slip, and what begins as a love story transforms into a descent into paranoia, control, and emotional violence.
The film’s emotional core lies in the slow disintegration of David and Katie’s relationship. Dunst delivers a moving performance as Katie, a woman whose radiant optimism gradually dims as she finds herself trapped in a gilded cage. Her growing realization of David's darkness—and her powerlessness in the face of it—creates a sense of dread that creeps into every scene. The audience watches helplessly as Katie fades from sight—both literally and metaphorically—leading to the film’s central mystery: what really happened to her?
Visually, All Good Things evokes a muted, melancholic palette that reflects the emotional decay of its characters. The storytelling is restrained yet suspenseful, leaving room for unease to fester. Jarecki, better known for his work in documentaries, brings a true-crime sensibility to the narrative, and his interest in the real Robert Durst’s bizarre life is palpable. In fact, this fascination would later culminate in The Jinx, his Emmy-winning documentary series where Durst made a chilling off-camera confession.
While All Good Things doesn’t deliver the high-octane thrills of traditional crime dramas, its strength lies in its psychological realism. It presents a deeply uncomfortable portrait of how power and privilege can shield people from justice, and how love, when tainted by unresolved trauma, can become its own prison. The final scenes linger in ambiguity, offering no easy answers—just the unsettling truth that sometimes, evil hides behind the softest smiles.
