Rated: MA15+
Directed by: Ilya Naishuller
Written by: Derek Kolstad
Produced by: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Braden Aftergood, Bob Odenkirk, Marc Provissiero
Executive Producers: Derek Kolstad, Marc S. Fisher, Annie Marter, Tobey Maguire
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Aleksey Serebryakov and Christopher Lloyd.
Bloody, handcuffed and lighting a cigarette, to then reach into his pocket to open a can of tuna? Kinda sums up the character that is Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk).
He’s a veteran. But known only to be The Auditor. A seemingly benign role that more likely means the last person you’ll ever meet.
But now, Hutch is a family man with a wife, Becca (Connie Niesen) and two kids.
The family moments are captured well, without overdramatising the sentiment – how is it kids know just the right thing to say to make you feel better?
Although, I was confused about the extent of Becca’s involvement or knowledge of Hutches previous life.
But the gist of the changed man was there; the family life where every day seems the same: ‘I may have overcorrected,’ is one aside from Hutch.
Until a pair of robbers break into his house.
Nobody has that classic formula of bad guy turned good until he’s wronged. He’ll take punishment even though he knows he can retaliate. He’ll take it until he’s pushed too far.
And if you think that sounds a little familiar the script is from Derek Kolstad (John Wick franchise).
The getting pushed was a little weak here. But the retaliation was awesome.
Bloody and vicious with broken-bat-wiped-across-chest, and hit over the head with boiling tea kettle action (classic) included.
There’s a character in the credits named, ‘Big Brute,’ which aptly sums up the enemies Hutch has to take down.
And Odenkirk as Hutch is good fun with his asides and ever suffering demeanour – but he’s not too layered. More, a need to break out of his self-made prison and to bloody his fists to feel alive again.
Christopher Lloyd as grandpa is a cracker.
But the story felt a little thin to me – maybe there’s a sequel coming with backstory? AKA the John Wick series? That would be a treat.
So without too high an expectation, well, I did go in with really high expectations being such a fan of Odenkirk, I was a little disappointed but overall still had a lot of fun. Great ride.