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 ‘Flight of the Navigator’ (1986)
Flight of the Navigator follows the story of David (Joey Cramer), a typical 12-year-old boy in the year 1978. After […]
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 ‘Riley & Rambo’ (2023)
A day in the life of, we follow a young boy by the name of Riley as he journeys around the Bradford area collecting […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Afterlife Photo’ (2023)
Director and writer, Tatsuaki Mizoi brings us an individual (Mitsuki Moriyama) who hires a photography studio to […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)
Before you can get comfy in your (IMAX, obviously) seat, George Miller quickly answers the question raised upon our […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Defender’ (2023)
Gary J Hewitt’s The Defender pretty much delivers what it promises on the tin. This is a story we’ve seen […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)
With the same premise as the previous movie (and obviously its literary inspiration) The Suicide Squad follows a […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ (2021)
As the eerie paranormal music begins to play over the opening credits of Ghostbusters: Afterlife you’re immediately […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Man Bites Dog’ (1992)
Man Bites Dog AKA C’est arrivé près de chez vous (1992) is a darkly comedic mockumentary that sees a film […]
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 Reviews ‘Death on the Nile’ (2022)
This week Jacked In’s, Jack attended Tyneside Cinema’s classic screen to view the adaptation for Agatha […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Orchid Moon’ (2023)
Orchid Moon follows the life of Harry (Jake Waring), a troubled individual with a burden he must suppress by any […]