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.
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Descent’ (2005)
A year after the tragic loss of her husband and daughter, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) goes on a hiking trip with her […]
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 Reviews ‘Pearl’ (2023)
As we open on a quaint barn in the countryside, we realize this seems awfully familiar. However, it’s too bright, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Surfer’ (2025)
As a yellow title contrasts against a gorgeous turquoise, Australian backdrop, it sets the colour palette for […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Whale’ (2022)
After a long hiatus, audiences at Tyneside Cinema welcome the beautiful soul that is Brendan Fraser back to the big […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ (2025)
A spotlight illuminates 60s-esque show host, Ted Gilbert (Mark Gatus), who proceeds to bring us up to speed on the […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Willow’ (1988)
Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) is a Nelwyn, born into the simple life of farming, with aspirations of one day, […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Drive’ (2011)
Drive follows the story of a Hollywood stuntman/mechanic (Ryan Gosling) who also happens to moonlight as a getaway […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Bird Drone’ (2023)
Radheya Jegatheva brings us a captivating story of a lonely seagull who befriends a drone.
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Lost Daughter’ (2021)
Based on the novel by Elena Ferrante, The Lost Daughter tells the tale of Leda (Olivia Colman), a middle-aged, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Men’ (2022)
Following the passing of her husband, a young woman by the name of Harper (Jessie Buckley) decides to take a bit of […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Script in Progress’ (2023)
Bruno Guillard’s Script in Progress aka En cours d’écriture sees a documentary crew following creative […]