Taking a bite out of the West, Diablo tells a tale of kidnapping and killers. The theme may be familiar, but this psychological thriller works some nice magic for those who like a compelling film with some questionable motives. The direction, acting and cinematography are good considering the low budget. Respectable enough to entertain those who like a good western for a change. It’s not The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, but this Eastwood gets to follow his dad’s footsteps.
The year is 1872 and the Civil War has ended with many of the military separated from their units and traveling west. Our story takes place in Colorado where we find Jackson (Scott Eastwood) shooting at a band of Mexican marauders who have just kidnapped his wife Alexsandra (Camilla Belle). With his house and barn burning he does all he can to save his horses from near death. In the meantime the abductors have had a huge head start riding into the dark. The next day fortified with ammo and guns he rides south to New Mexico looking for a trail that will lead him to his wife.
Following the path through the mountains he meets a strange man named Ezra (Walter Goggins) who helps him along the way. Director and writer Lawrence Roeck works his characters into his story as Jackson follows his wife’s kidnappers. He keeps it mysterious, especially the reasons for the abduction and the people who want Alexsandra. After a few twists to his story we think we have the ending all wrapped up, or do we.
Acting by Scott Eastwood reminds me a little of his famous father, but Clint’s recognizable nuances will hopefully as he gets seasoned with several credits. Here however, he holds his own with a good performance opposite the likes of Walter Goggins (Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight), Camilla Belle (When a Stranger Calls) and Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon, The Color Purple). In some scenes you would think it’s a young Clint as he moves his head at just the right angle, but he’s got a very long way to ever reach the heights of his famous dad.
Diablo has rated R by the MPAA for violence and brief language. The scenes of violence are realistic and may be a little unnerving for some viewers.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A psychological thriller that has a good payoff. (C+)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Scott Eastwood, Walter Goggins, Camilla Belle, Danny Glover
Directed by: Lawrence Roeck
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for violence and brief language
Running Time: 1 hr, 30 min.
Release Date: January 8, 2016
Distributed by: Momentum Pictures
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
