An early montage in I Care a Lot could very well go down as the most terrifying cinematic stretch of 2021.

One of the film’s many taut, expertly crafted moments courtesy of writer/director J Blakeson, the stage-setting sequence sees ruthless state-appointed legal guardian Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) and her lover/business partner Fran (Eiza González, Baby Driver) remove the perfectly competent Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest) from her home, put her in an assisted living facility, strip her of her agency, and sell off her assets.

The swiftness with which this sanctioned abduction and robbery occurs, and the lack of remorse from Marla, Fran, and their various collaborators makes one ponder how often such schemes are employed on a daily basis in the real world — and wonder with stomach-churning concern if their own elderly loved ones are susceptible to such interference.

While the glimpse into Marla’s enterprise is plenty entertaining and disturbing, Blakeson shifts I Care a Lot into an even more appealing gear when the foolproof swindling of the seemingly connection-free Jennifer indeed proves too good to be true.

The specifics of that tangled web won’t be spoiled here, but it’s safe to say they involve a mysterious wealthy businessman (Peter Dinklage) and a high-powered lawyer (Chris Messina) — all surface-level characters, there to serve a well-oiled plot that discourages the need or desire to learn more than basic details about its players, Marla included.

Thanks to Pike’s icy voiceover narration and other tonal and stylistic overlaps, it’s tough not to be reminded of Gone Girl — which isn’t a bad thing when such devices are employed this well. As with Amy Dunne, it’s natural to want to see Marla get her comeuppance, but one likewise also can’t help but be impressed by her tenacity and resourcefulness.

I Care a Lot laudably spins these strengths for so long that it’s a shame to see the film come to a rather unsatisfactory end. Though the conclusion is logical, it’s so disjointed in its pacing and visual presentation that it’s as if Blakeson was on vacation the day that scene was filmed.

Grade: B-plus. Rated R. Available to stream via Netflix

(Photo: Seacia Pavao/Netflix)