Review: Aaron Paul thriller ‘Come and Find Me’ is worth tracking down

The involving, well-told thriller “Come and Find Me” is a “Gone Girl”-ish look at love, deception and danger that, unlike the Ben Affleck hit, never doubts its main man’s sincerity. If that removes a few potential twists, it helps keep us squarely on the side of our tortured hero, which, as these kinds of enigmatic stories go, can prove a plus.

Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”) stars as David, an L.A.-based graphic designer who falls for beautiful, free-spirited photographer Clare (Annabelle Wallis) after a meet-cute at their shared apartment building. They eventually move in together and enjoy a warm, playful romance even if, as the film’s deftly integrated flashbacks reveal, a few question marks about Clare and her sporadic displays of troubling behavior give David pause.

And then the lady vanishes.

Time passes and events lead the still-hopeful David to follow a series of vague clues to Vancouver, Canada, to track down Clare. But is she dead or alive? And if she’s not who David thought she was — a given by now — why exactly is David’s hunt putting him in increasing peril with an array of shadowy types?

Even with several contrivances in the movie’s final third, this remains a taut, haunting ride thanks to solid writing and directing by Zack Whedon (Joss and Jed’s younger brother) and a strong, sympathetic performance by Paul. Find this one.

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‘Come and Find Me’

MPAA Rating: R, for language and some violence

Running time: 1 hour, 52 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica; also on VOD

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