Film Review - Shadow Force (2025)

      **Shadow Force, 2025**

      Directed by Joe Carnahan.

      Starring Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Jahleel Kamara, Mark Strong, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Method Man, Ed Quinn, Shaina West, Natalia Reyes, Marvin Jones III, Yoson An, Marshall Cook, Jénel Stevens, Barbara Saba, Sala Baker, Carlos Rey del Castillo, and Otmara Marrero.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      An estranged couple, who have a bounty on their heads, must flee with their son to escape from their former employer, a covert operations unit sent to eliminate them.

      Unfortunately, co-writer/director Joe Carnahan’s *Shadow Force* suffers from clichéd and predictable elements, along with a persistent ambiguity regarding the intended tone. At least a tonal misfire implies bold, daring attempts that ultimately fail. However, the screenplay, penned by Carnahan and Leon Chills, takes itself far too seriously, which is disappointing considering the parental assassin dynamic has become an overly familiar sub-genre with little innovative to contribute.

      *Shadow Force* does contain moments of humor, often involving its otherwise serious secret agent protagonists, but these moments feel less like an intentional comedic touch and more like remnants of an earlier draft that included greater comedic elements. This shift seems to have been influenced by Lionsgate executives who likely urged the filmmakers to downplay humor and draw parallels to *John Wick* (due to financial constraints, 75% of the films released by this distributor aim to create the next big action franchise, including current *John Wick* spinoffs to stay relevant). Lionsgate has a formula that seems to limit creativity, as successful franchises like *John Wick* do not emerge from corporate mandates but from genuine passion and investment by stars and skilled stunt performers.

      As a result, Isaac (Omar Sy), a former key member of the titular Shadow Force (which targets high-profile, clearly evil figures globally, given that protagonists here can’t have complex pasts or morals), now lives off the grid with his young son Ky (Jahleel Kamara), conceived during his romance with fellow operative Kyrah (Kerry Washington), a fact unbeknownst to their team and its dubious leader, Jack Cinder (Mark Strong). Kyrah chose to stay with the Shadow Force to assist Isaac in escaping to raise Ky. Now living in seclusion, Isaac becomes the target of Jack after CCTV footage captures him protecting Ky and other civilians during a bank robbery.

      The film also contains logical inconsistencies in its action sequences: during one scene, Isaac is presented as a Batman-like figure, disarming and defeating unsuspecting opponents in the dark with flickering lights. While he shares similarities with Edgar Wright's *Baby Driver,* it lacks that film’s creativity and character integration. Isaac also struggles with tinnitus, which affects his aim, yet afterwards, he appears to be merely an average mercenary, far less menacing than in his initial showcase. Additionally, a subplot about his declining accuracy, despite that earlier action scene, feels inconsistent. The less said about the underutilized characters of his aunt and uncle (played by the talented Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Method Man) who are investigating Jack, the better.

      Eventually, Jack dispatches the rest of the Shadow Force to find and kill Isaac, leading Kyrah to reunite with the family after years. This results in several awkward musical moments and a lackluster romance. Surprisingly, it isn’t until the third act that action really kicks in, featuring a series of fights, shootouts, and chases around a beachside house and the adjacent ocean. While the execution is competent, it lacks urgency and thrill, largely due to the flat characterization and predictable nature of the story. There's a car chase mid-way through, filled with flares that, during aerial shots, make the scene resemble a bullet-hell video game. While visually striking, it lacks emotional investment.

      One commendable aspect is the filmmakers’ willingness to incorporate Omar Sy’s native French during dialogues with Kyrah, inviting broader audiences to engage with subtitles. However, the downside is that few are likely to watch this film (it wasn’t screened for critics and my opening-night showing was notably empty). The fact that acknowledging the use of other languages highlights how uninspired *Shadow Force* is reveals the film’s scarce redeeming features. While it’s not a complete failure, it remains entirely forgettable once it's over.

      *Shadow Force* also lacks the grit and edge typically associated with Joe Carnahan, coming across more like a formulaic Netflix production. It’s surprising that Joe Carnahan directed this film, and it’s easy to speculate he might wish he hadn’t.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★**

      Robert Kojder is part of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and the Online Film