She Rides Shotgun (2025) - Film Review

      She Rides Shotgun, 2025.

      Directed by Nick Rowland.

      Featuring Taron Egerton, Ana Sophia Heger, Odessa A’zion, John Carroll Lynch, David Lyons, Rob Yang, and Keith Jardine.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A girl destined for death must fight and steal to survive, learning from her most terrifying teacher—her father. This film is an adaptation of Jordan Harper’s award-winning novel.

      Despite a seemingly straightforward premise, Nick Rowland's She Rides Shotgun offers a deeper experience. Based on a script by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski, which derives from Jordan Harper's novel, Rowland takes the familiar story of an ex-con father on the run while protecting his daughter and enriches it with nuanced character development and emotional depth. This intensity is powerfully conveyed by Taron Egerton, who is typically known for action roles yet embraces a more grounded and emotionally raw performance, alongside remarkable newcomer Ana Sophia Heger as a daughter torn between love and fear of her estranged father.

      After not seeing her father, Nate, for years, Polly begins to sense something is wrong when her mother is late to pick her up from school. Instead of her mother, Nate arrives in a stolen car, insisting they must leave, hiding the fact that her mother and stepfather have been killed. Polly feels a mix of fear and confusion, especially when she questions the broken car window, prompting Nate to tell a small lie. He’s a man who likely has a criminal past, filled with regret, and is compelled to engage in criminal behavior again to protect Polly from an Aryan gang that has a hit on his family for killing their leader. His violent actions are not entirely indefensible, though he appears to have followed his brother into a troubled life without taking a moment to redirect towards a more honorable future.

      Nate's escape plan involves traveling across New Mexico and crossing the border, reconnecting with an ex-girlfriend (Odessa A’zion) along the way, revealing his feelings of unworthiness for love. Polly wishes to change that perspective, even as she is startled to see her father react violently during a moment of self-defense. Rowland wisely depicts these conflicts from Polly’s viewpoint, recognizing that the focus should not solely be on creating thrilling action but also embedding it within character and narrative.

      At times, Polly’s fear evolves into unsettling curiosity, such as when Nate, pressed for money, decides to rob a gas station, leading to her unintended involvement in the robbery. Despite the moral complexity of their actions, Nate remains focused on ensuring his daughter survives and does not follow in his footsteps, even putting himself in danger to shield her from violence.

      Detective John Park (Rob Yang) is investigating the situation, intending to use Nate to dismantle a drug ring and its enigmatic leader known as the God of Slabtown, who may have connections to the Aryan gang. The reveal of this drug lord is not particularly surprising, and this subplot is arguably the film's weakest aspect, though John Carroll Lynch does deliver a convincingly ruthless performance. Predictably, all characters’ paths intersect, with Nate primarily concerned about his daughter’s safety.

      It’s also expected that She Rides Shotgun culminates in a burst of violence, yet Rowland consistently emphasizes that the core of the story is about a distant father reconnecting with his daughter, mourning the moments he has missed in her life. Taron Egerton appears more physically impressive and vulnerable than ever, while Ana Sophia Heger portrays a genuine character with depth; the film succeeds significantly because she matches Egerton’s emotional intensity.

      She Rides Shotgun is a gripping thriller focused on breaking the cycle of parental sins, even when those very sins appear to be the only means to create a hopeful future. While this theme may seem familiar, the extraordinary craftsmanship, character depth, action, and performances elevate this film to remarkable heights.

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

      Robert Kojder