Arjona does a good job as the lead, you believe the toughness, she's clearly doing some/most of her stunts, physically it's a compelling performance. Emotionally it's a bit more shaky, the PTSD, the divorced mom stuff is a bit rote, she does what she can with it but it's more a result of the pulpy underwritten script. Stevens is having a ball and he's always a pleasure to see especially in genre fare where he can cut loose. The supporting cast is stacked full of talent with some inspired bits of casting- Reginald VelJohnson(absolute joy to see him in a wide release), Michael Biehn, Rebecca Hall, and Eric Wareheim to name a few. Just all around eclectic talent, interesting actors, and it makes for a really punchy ensemble.
Shot on location in New Mexico on a budget, visually the film has a quantifiable look and tangible feel with some really engaging flourishes at various points. The soundtrack is absolutely stuffed with diegetic and non-diegetic needledrops that really create a propulsive and thrilling atmosphere but at points it becomes a bit much, encroaching. But the only real issue is the script, lot of good ideas, just doesn't quite come together and the big climax peters out, makes it seem like the production just kind of ran out of steam. Still a solid, original piece of entertainment.
A decent B-movie, grindhouse throwback.
Currently in theaters.
Rent It.
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