Here’s a little independent film that takes you into the center of an unwitting crime that turns into an law enforcement fiasco. Nicely directed and with an outstanding young cast, The Snare is on my list this month’s best bets. Opening this weekend in select theaters across the country, it will then be in wider release on VOD starting August 25. The Crime Drama Thriller film speaks out to all ages, but should be considered as R rating.
Teen Dani Simmons (Cassady McClincy Zhang), an 18-year-old honor student, has just completed her last year of High School and already has a scholarship in hand. She is still working as a sub maker at a local fast food place to save for the extras that will be needed to complete her college degree. Still in tight with her circle of female classmates, they ask her to meet with Marty (Dempsey Bryk), a distributor who will give her some drugs for the grad party. But, her home life isn’t all that great as her mother works evening shifts to support the family her dad is serving a prison sentence. As for her younger brother Bison, he’s been hanging with his summer school pals.
Riding her bike home after she gets the drugs from Marty, she sees Bison with several skate boarders running from a store they just tried to shoplift. She tries to get him out of the clutches of the owner and gets detained when the cops arrive. Upon searching her, the cops find the drugs she just got and they take her down to the precinct. They threaten to book her on possession with intent to sell unless she will help in getting the drug dealer. So begins an intimidating and dangerous challenge that will put Dani in the heat of a life threating ordeal.
The acting is so good in the film it saves the familiar storyline by making it dramatically compelling with each scene. Controlling every move by his actors director and writer Merlin Camozzi makes Cassady McClincy a star. As Dani we get a vibrant, yet calculating pawn that takes each challenge highly charged while avoiding any blowback to her family. It’s a clever role and McClincy makes it look great on the screen.
The Snare has not been rated by the MPA, but contains smoking, drinking and drug use by minors, attempted rape, violence and foul language. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children to see the film. 4 out of 5 Stars.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Cassady McClincy Zhang, Dempsey Bryk, Royce Johnson, Anire Kim Amoda, Dominic Bogart
Director and Screenwriter: Merlin Camozzi
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama
MPA Rating: Not Rated, contains contains smoking, drinking and drug use by minors, attempted rape, violence and foul language
Running Time: 1 hr. 50 min.
Opening Date: August 21, 2026
Released in: Select Theaters
