There are two things that spy films should never be: predictable and boring. Unfortunately, Reed Morano’s The Rhythm Section is a muddled display of both cardinal sins. Based on the novel of the same name by Mark Burnell, the film tells the story of Stephanie (Blake Lively), who self destructs in the aftermath of her family’s death in a horrific plane crash. When she discovers the accident may not have been an accident after all, she gets swept up in a world of crime she never could have prepared for. It’s not a bad film, per se, but there’s not much to rally behind. It’s not as fun and ridiculously explosion-reliant as blockbuster action flicks, but it’s not emotionally compelling enough to be taken seriously as a drama, either. Lively is a clear standout—almost unrecognizable and giving an intense performance unlike anything she’s done in recent years—and her rapport with Jude Law works often enough to be convincing. And if you loved Lively’s frequent and fantastic wardrobe changes in A Simple Favor, you’ll at least appreciate the wide array of wigs and disguises she sports in The Rhythm Section.