‘She Rides Shotgun’ Review: A Gritty Road Thriller With a Compelling Emotional Core
Taron Egerton is quickly establishing himself as an up-and-coming action star. He wowed me with his impressive turn as a TSA officer tasked with taking down a terrorist plot in Carry-On, and he continues to impress in his latest, She Rides Shotgun. This most recent effort, directed by Nick Rowland, melds action and thriller tropes with a poignant story about an estranged father and daughter reconnecting under dire circumstances. The flick is gritty, raw, intense, and unflinching. She Rides Shotgun, based on the Jordan Harper novel of the same name, is the rare effort that works just as well as a shoot ‘em up actioner as it does a tender tale of redemption and reconnection.
This intense and heartfelt offering catches up with low-level criminal Nathan McClusky (Egerton) immediately after his release from prison. While he was on the inside, he aligned with a rough crowd. Upon release, he cuts ties with the criminal element that kept him safe during incarceration. However, doing so comes at a price. The ruffians with whom he was once aligned retaliate by putting out a hit on both him and his family. Nathan rescues his daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger), in the nick of time and whisks her away in an attempt to keep her safe. Along the way, he gets to know the daughter whose life he’s largely missed out on.
She Rides Shotgun Nails Both the Action and the Drama
The film is filled to the brim with exciting chase sequences, extended fights, and narrow escapes. The action starts early and remains consistent throughout. Yet, it’s perhaps the quieter moments that really elevate this thriller to the next level. It’s touching to watch the father and daughter at the core of the narrative reconnect amidst their fight for survival. It’s poignant to watch them attempt to make up for lost time and try to get to know one another after years apart.
What surprised me about She Rides Shotgun is that the proceedings never insulate Polly from the action. She isn’t just along for the ride. She’s not window dressing. Despite her tender age, Polly gets in on the action, even firing off a live round in an attempt to protect her father from grave danger. That aspect is handled with an impressive level of nuance, to boot. We see the emotional fallout when Nathan comes to terms with exactly what he’s subjected Polly to. Everything he’s doing is in service of keeping her alive, but it’s clear that he blames himself, not only for robbing her of the chance to get to know her dad, but also for putting her in the line of fire in a noble attempt to save her life.
The film touches on themes of redemption alongside a hefty helping of moral ambiguity. Rather than a cut-and-dried tale of right and wrong, we see shades of grey. Characters on the wrong side of the law have ample redeeming qualities, whereas those on the right side are often anything but noble. That gives the viewer plenty to think about and paints a complex portrait that reminds us that good and evil are rarely black and white.
The film features noteworthy performances from two talented leads
The core themes resonate, thanks, in no small part, to strong performances from both leads. Heger shows a talent far beyond her years in her turn as Polly. The character carries the weight of the world on her shoulders as she’s forced into a position that would break most adults. She believably conveys a varied assortment of emotions at once, all convincingly. Bravo.
Egerton also shows ample depth as Nathan. His performance is immersive, conveying a sense of regret and a fierce, palpable desire to protect the daughter from whom he’s so long been estranged. He’s a multifaceted character, rather than a one-note tough guy.
Performances aside, I was also really taken by the ending. I was half expecting a cheap cop out where everyone happily rides off into the sunset and all is right in the world. Instead, we get a conclusion that is perfectly fitting to the overall tone. It may not be a crowd-pleaser, but the conclusion works brilliantly and is likely to make the viewer feel something, as good art should.
My sole negative critique is that one of the twists is a bit obvious. Even still, I had a great time with this flick, and I think you might as well. If you’re in the mood for a solid actioner that also features an impressive emotional core, you should look no further than She Rides Shotgun.
The film is now available in select theaters and on premium VOD via Lionsgate.
-
She Rides Shotgun
Summary
This fast-paced thriller is equal parts touching and intense. It’s just as effective as a gritty actioner as it is a poignant tale of redemption and reconnection.
Categorized: Reviews
