Netflix has a knack for serving up thrillers that keep you guessing, and I Came By is no exception. This 2022 gem, directed by Babak Anvari (Under the Shadow, Wounds), takes the classic cat-and-mouse formula and flips it on its head. Instead of a single predator and prey, we get a tangled web of three scrappy taggers and a well-dressed judge with a basement full of horrors. Hugh Bonneville sheds his Downton Abbey charm to play Hector Blake, a respected judge whose charitable facade hides a sinister secret. George MacKay (1917) stars as Toby, a graffiti artist whose crusade against the wealthy leads him into a nightmare.
The film opens with Toby and his partner Jay (Percelle Ascott) tagging the homes of the rich with the phrase "I Came By," a rebellious act meant to remind the elite that they're not untouchable. When Toby targets Hector Blake, a judge known for his immigrant charity work but also for owning illegal ivory, Jay bows out, citing his impending fatherhood. Toby sneaks into Hector's mansion alone and discovers a bound prisoner in the basement—a twist that feels familiar until the film takes a brutal turn.
Just when you think you've got the plot figured out, I Came By delivers a gut-punch: Toby is killed off early, his life ended with a swift blow to the head. This isn't your typical thriller where the hero survives against all odds. Instead, the story shifts focus to Toby's mother, Lizzie (Kelly MacDonald), and the chilling aftermath. The film becomes a tense exploration of grief, justice, and the lengths a mother will go to for answers.
Lizzie's journey is where the realism hits hardest. MacDonald delivers a raw, desperate performance as she navigates a police system that dismisses her concerns. Her frustration mirrors a timeless social commentary: the powerful can get away with anything. When detective Ella (Franc Ashman) investigates Hector's mansion, she finds no evidence—despite discovering hidden rooms—and a single phone call from Hector's high-placed friend gets him released. This hyperbole of privilege feels all too real, echoing themes in other Netflix thrillers like Kartavya.
The film's pacing is deliberate, mixing moments of quiet tension with bursts of violence. Anvari doesn't shy away from showing the mundane aftermath of tragedy: Lizzie searching Toby's room, finding hidden compartments, and wondering if she ever truly knew her son. These scenes ground the story, making the horror feel personal. The atmosphere is thick with dread, and Bonneville's Hector looms like a specter, his murderous gleam hidden behind a veneer of respectability.
What sets I Came By apart is its refusal to play by the rules. Just when you think you've identified the protagonist, the narrative shifts, leaving you off-balance. It's a bold move that pays off, creating a thriller that's as unpredictable as it is unsettling. For fans of tense, character-driven stories, this is a must-watch. And if you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat entertainment, check out How to Get Away with Murder or the Equalizer trilogy.
In the end, I Came By is more than a thriller—it's a commentary on how wealth and status can shield the worst of humanity. It's a grim, gripping ride that you won't be able to look away from, even as it makes your skin crawl.
