The movie 9 Bullets may seem a bit familiar because it fits the crime road movie genre that has had its lion share of films over the years. Most all start out with a bad happening, a killing and then the main characters fleeing for their lives to escape death. This one fits the mold, but it still entertains with a lot of thrills and twists. The acting here is very good, the Directing by Gigi Gaston on target and the production value is on par with many of the genre.
Young Sam’s (Dean Scott Vazquez) father has made a huge mistake and is about to pay for it in a bad way. On the way home from his business partner he calls Sam and tells him to get out of the house immediately and that he will be home to get him. Things take a turn for the worse and Sam runs to Gypsy (Lena Headey), his neighbor, who realizes something bad is going down. When she realizes that the situation could only get worse, she heads for the safest place she knows with Sam by her side.
The film goes into overdrive as the two flee cross country with some real baddies on their tail. Stopping only to get gas, some food and to evade the Crime Boss’s hit men, Gypsy knows how to handle herself having lived a tawdry past. Director and writer Gigi Gaston who only has a few feature films under her belt, does a surprising good job of making the crime thriller entertaining with a lot of excitement. The film has above average cinematography, some tight surprises and Lena Headey’s fine acting blazing the escape plan.
Most everyone who has followed Game of Thrones know Heady as Cersi Lannister the domineering Queen of the Lannester clan. She was wicked in that series and it carries over in 9 Bullets where as Gypsy she fends off some very mean killers. She gives a believable performance and saves the film from its dubious finish.
9 Bullets has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains nudity, sex, violence and language. It opens on April 22 in theaters and simultaneously on VOD. For thrill seekers, the film takes off with some violent action and then perks up often as Gypsy and Sam forge their way across country. For that target audience my rating is 3 out of 5 stars.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Lena Headey, Sam Worthington, Dean Scott Vazquez, La La Anthony, Martin Sensmeier, Chris Mullinax, Cam Gigandet, Emma Holzer, Barbara Hershey
Directed and Witten by: Gigi Gaston
Genre: Thriller
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains violence, sex, language
Running Time: 1 hr. 31 min.
Release Date: April 22, 2022
Distributed by: Screen Media Films
Released on: Theaters and VOD
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
