Gary J Hewitt’s The Defender pretty much delivers what it promises on the tin. This is a story we’ve seen time and time again. If someone described a movie about a vigilante with a troubled past, taking the law into their own hands, already your mind is swarming with titles.
However, the plot isn’t necessarily the issue, there’s a reason the subgenre is used so often, people enjoy it – and you can certainly make it your own. After all, John Wick is different from Death Wish and both differ again from British approaches like Harry Brown. The problem is, that everything in this movie is simply competent. There’s nothing that grants it individuality or makes the film stand out amongst its peers.
A thriller without the thrills
The pacing is somewhat one note and a lot of the scenes tend to linger past last orders, making it (for the most part) a thriller without the thrills. The Scottish setting – as well the recordings from the mother – do give things a bit more steam and kudos to the acting chops of Sasha Macpherson. Unfortunately, they could have perhaps shined brighter within a film with more substance.
Most Memorable Stephen King Adaptations
When it comes to chilling someone to the very core, no one is more synonymous in the world of horror than Stephen […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ (2022)
Unlike previous MCU instalments, Multiverse of Madness sees Sam Raimi at the helm, the legendary director who, if […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Hereditary’ (2018)
Following the life of a dysfunctional family, as they grieve, this abysmal world and the characters within it […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Frailty’ (2001)
Frailty begins with numerous victims going missing all over Texas, courtesy of the God’s Hand Killer. All of a […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Whiplash’ (2014)
Whiplash follows the story of nineteen-year-old, aspiring drummer, Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), in his first year […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Tinker’ (2023)
Set in a world far more decayed than our own, we follow The Tinker. An individual with a bit of a screw loose, […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘One Hour Photo’ (2002)
One Hour Photo follows the story of SavMart photo technician, Sy, The Photo Guy (Robin Willaims). However, although […]
23 Batman Movie Moments You’ll Never Forget
Over the years we’ve had many interpretations of Batman, his villains, Gotham city and just the whole aesthetic of […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Thir13en Ghosts’ (2001)
After losing his wife in a tragic house fire, Arthur Kriticos (Tony Shalhoub) struggles to make ends meet for him […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ (2022)
As we open on a black & white prologue showing a mixture of live action and animation, we see the infamous Jean […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Sound of Metal’ (2019)
Sound of Metal follows the life of heavy-metal drummer Ruben, whose life gets thrown into disarray as he begins to […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Natura’ (2023)
From the opening shot, you’re immediately captured by an open woodland which truly readies you for being emersed in […]