movie review the enforcer 2022

The Enforcer

Where to Watch

Antonio Banderas (Cuda) Mojean Aria (Stray) Kate Bosworth (Estelle) Alexis Ren (Lexus) Zolee Griggs (Billie) 2 Chainz (Freddie) Mark Rhino Smith (Doom) Luke Bouchier (Paycheck) Aaron Cohen (Joe) Kika Georgiou (Medina)

Richard Hughes

An enforcer has to sacrifice everything to save a young girl he has befriended from his femme fatale boss who is involved in cybersex trafficking.

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In The Enforcer , Cuda (Antonio Banderas) is a long-time mafia enforcer who has just been let out of prison. Cuda has taken the rap, and blame, for crimes committed by Miami syndicate boss Estelle (Kate Bosworth). A newly freed man, Cuda attempts to get his life back in order and reconcile with his teenage daughter, Lola (Vivian Malkova). However, she wants nothing to do with her father, as she knows what he does in order to pay the bills. As a substitute, Cuda takes a paternal interest in Billie (Zolee Griggs), a teenage runaway.

Cuda gets back into the game by going back to work for estelle. one of his first jobs is to train stray (mojean aria). a street fighter with a short fuse, stray is looking for a quick score. estelle takes him in and he is soon hired to become one of her enforcers, collecting money from those who owe it. dishing out punishment to those who deserve it. not much time passes before cuda starts to act as a mentor toward stray. the pair bond as they drive around miami collecting unpaid debt and inflicting retribution., stray begins to fall head over heels for nightclub worker lexus (alexis ren) and the two quickly begin a romance. as fate has it, lexus is also associated with cuda and stray’s boss, estelle. throughout all of this, cuda’s fatherly devotion and attention toward billie is growing. he repeatedly protects her from trouble as well as getting her a motel room so she’ll be safe and off the streets. when billie is kidnapped, cuda quickly puts the pieces together. he soon realizes that the enemy is closer than he thinks..

Written by W. Peter Iliff ( Iron Will, Prayer of the Rollerboys ), The Enforcer is exactly what you think it’s going to be, and that’s fine because Banderas is more than up for the task. The film liberally eschews the vast archive of redemption-driven hitman stories, without ever really saying anything unique of its own. Still, Banderas has carved out and honed this silent macho character type for decades now, and he more than makes up for some of the one-dimensional supporting characters that appear in The Enforcer .

Hughes’ direction is competent in his feature debut. further, he’s doing some decent world-building with regard to the criminal underground in miami. once the enforcer switches into “thrill mode” the uninteresting side characters sprinkled throughout the film become more bearable. while hughes’ direction is competent, casting is where the enforcer really suffers. rapper 2 chainz is not in any way threatening as a sex trafficker. also, while kate bosworth is giving it her all, she is miscast as the ruthless syndicate boss and killer, estelle., in a way, the enforcer is part “buddy” movie as the characters of cuda and stray have an interesting dynamic and chemistry with each other. the street brawler being mentored and guided by the veteran killer is one of the narratives in the enforcer that actually works. additionally, the film’s script wisely stays away from too much exposition, which films of this genre are prone to do. however, at the end of the day, the enforcer is simply a redemption thriller that has been done endlessly and, unfortunately, better..

Performances

At the center of the enforcer is a solid performance by antonio banderas. it also helps that hughes is a veteran director of many commercials. as a result, banderas, who looks as good as ever, is framed perfectly. additionally, banderas cruising around miami has a familiar and nice feel to it. a real neo-noir atmosphere is created for the first half of the film. even more astonishing is that dp callan green actually shot the film in greece still, as good as banderas is, one can only take so much of a cliched “killer with a heart of gold” schtick before it gets monotonous., while kate bosworth is giving it her all, the veteran actor simply can’t rise above the often ridiculous dialogue she is given to work with. her performance is one-note and bland. it’s a shame as this is a step down from her fantastic performances in both house of darkness (2022) and the immaculate room (2022). mojean aria, as cuda’s protégé, has undeniable chemistry with banderas and is by far what works the best in the enforcer . still, his character is barely fleshed out and what little backstory he has is not well thought out. aria is a talented actor and he certainly deserves better., zolee griggs and alexis ren are both adequate in supporting roles but at the end of the day, these characters cannot escape the cliches that they are built on. there is a distinct lack of charisma that permeates throughout the enforcer and it, unfortunately, drags the whole film down. the tale of underworld life has been told many times before and can only work if the characters are interesting and have something to say. in this instance, neither can be said. luke bouchier as ‘pay-check’ did impress in the small amount of screen time he was afforded..

Besides the above-average performance from Antonio Banderas perhaps the running time of The Enforcer is the film’s strongest quality. At a brisk 91-minutes, it has little to no exposition, and the side characters and subplots that we care little about, don’t get too annoying. Richard Hughes’s direction, particularly the action sequences, is above-average. Yet, the film’s shallow script makes you feel like this is something you have seen before, and you have. Banderas is great in the film, but aside from that, it’s simply mediocre. Hughes has real talent, and he deserves better material to work with.

The enforcer is currently in limited theatrical release and available on vod and digital platforms via  screen media ..

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Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

Movie Review – The Enforcer (2022)

March 27, 2023 by Robert Kojder

The Enforcer , 2022.

Directed by Richard Hughes. Starring Antonio Banderas, Alexis Ren, Mojean Aria, Zolee Griggs, Aaron Cohen, 2 Chainz, Kate Bosworth, Mark Rhino Smith, Luke Bouchier, Christos Vasilopoulos, Kostas Sommer, Kika Georgiou, Vivian Milkova, and Natalie Burn.

An enforcer has to sacrifice everything to save a young girl he has befriended from cybersex trafficking.

Antonio Banderas is Cuda, a mobster with a heart of gold in Richard Hughes’ The Enforcer . He doesn’t necessarily start that way, enlisting yard-fighter Stray (Mojean Aria, able to give the hand-to-hand brawls and MMA-style takedowns/submission holds an authentic feel that might be the only decent thing about the action here) for a quick job where the titular enforcer demonstrates his murderous ruthlessness. By the night’s end, Cuda puts a bullet in someone’s head, whereas Stray, who handles himself fine physically, is unprofessional and doesn’t express interest in learning how to conduct himself, leading them to part ways.

Cuda’s daughter Lola (Vivian Milkova) is on the cusp of turning 16 but naturally wants nothing to do with her father, considering she has reached an age where she knows what he does for a living. Likewise, Cuda is also separated from his wife. It’s hard to blame Lola for not wanting this career criminal showing up at school and trying to buy back love with dirty money (literal blood money) and trying to plan an upcoming birthday celebration. Simultaneously, Stray is furthering a newfound romantic fling with nightclub worker Lexus (Alexis Ren), who happens to be associated with Cuda’s boss Estelle (Kate Bosworth).

Feeling down inside, not even 24 hours removed from killing someone in cold blood, Cuda wanders around Miami, where he encounters the shoplifting Billie (Zolee Griggs), a runaway 15-year-old with a rough life and no family. Cuda whips out another fat stack of cash and sets her up in a motel room, under the impression that this could be his shot at redemption (especially since his family wants nothing to do with him. Approximately two days later, he visits to check up on her, finding no one there and signs of a kidnapping struggle.

As a result, Cuda is set on a rampage to get to the bottom of the situation, reconnecting with Stray, who desperately wants more criminal work and pleads to accept constructive criticism, primarily because he wants to make a living and provide for his new girlfriend. And so begins the repetitiveness of hitting up one hotbed for illegal activity after another to piece together a trail. Along the way, we are treated to painfully generic dialogue about revenge, regrets, and forgiveness (the script from W. Peter Iliff is a clunker every step). 

Far more frustratingly is that The Enforcer , which already doesn’t do much with any of these characters and their quickly established dynamics, arrives at a cybersex trafficking reveal that is so glossed over and only used for contrived plotting that the film comes across as indulging fringe circles that believe these rings exist on every street corner. There is no attempt to explore how and why these operations are built and maintained (aside from money) or focus on the victims beyond something to save; they are nothing more than a tool for redemption.

If The Enforcer successfully functions as a solid action flick, the above might not be so bad. However, the script largely tells a dramatic story with Cuda drastically changing his personality on the fly. The reaction to the crisis he is facing regarding being forced out of his family’s life is normal, but that haste in which he is ready to sacrifice his life seeking redemption by rescuing a kidnapped teenage girl feels dishonest.

It also doesn’t help that there are glaring production issues (day changes to night for no reason between scenes of Cuda and Billie grabbing dinner after meeting, lines have been dubbed back into English but still contain subtitles that aren’t even the correct spoken words). Then there is the final reveal, which is an attempt at lame shock value.

Any time Mojean Aria is bare-knuckle brawling generic henchmen, The Enforcer is tolerable. Aside from that, it’s a rushed and clichéd mess.

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

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check  here  for new reviews, follow my  Twitter  or  Letterboxd , or email me at [email protected]

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The Enforcer Review: Antonio Banderas Cares & Kills

A hit man (Antonio Banderas) develops a conscience after meeting a street fighter (Mojean Aria) and runaway girl (Zolee Griggs) in The Enforcer.

A recently paroled hit man develops a conscience after meeting two very different strangers. The Enforcer gets an acting booster shot from a compelling Antonio Banderas lead performance. He's believable as a killer who reaches an inflection point. What could have been a clichéd, B-movie actioner engrosses with neon noir imagery, brutal beat downs, and bullet-riddled heroics . Kate Bosworth also stands out as the ruthless gangster that holds the scumbag leashes. She's effective playing against type. There are several glaring editing issues but not enough to torpedo the overall entertainment value.

The Enforcer opens with a blood-soaked Cuda (Banderas) staring wistfully on a sunny beach. We are then introduced to Stray (Mojean Aria) as he pummels a much bigger opponent in a bare knuckle fight. A goon sees promise and invites him to a Miami meeting with the big boss. Stray strikes up a conversation with Lexus (Alexis Ren) while waiting. She's also a pawn of the cold-blooded Estelle (Bosworth).

Stray is sent on his first collection with Cuda. He quickly learns that Cuda is the last man that Estelle's enemies see. Cuda attempts to reconnect with his daughter, Lola (Vivian Milkova), at her school. She didn't know her father was out of jail and wants nothing from him. A disappointed Cuda hoped to celebrate her sixteenth birthday.

Cuda's life changes watching Billy (Zolee Griggs) get caught shoplifting. He recognizes she's a runaway around Lola's age. Cuda buys her food and week's stay in a dingy motel. Meanwhile, Estelle has a new assignment for her collection team. Freddy (2 Chainz) runs a trap house where women are kidnapped, drugged, and prostituted. He makes a fortune broadcasting his despicable activities on the dark web. A disgusted Cuda and Stray remind Freddy that Estelle always gets her cut. Cuda visits the hotel to check on Billy but finds her room trashed and the girl missing.

Related: Don't Worry Darling Review: Olivia Wilde's Sophomore Slump Thriller

An Odd Pairing That Works

Cuda and Stray are an odd pairing that actually works. Aria, a dead ringer for Aaron Paul, respects Cuda as a mentor. He's a street brawler trying for a bigger score. The grizzled Cuda warns him to find a way out while he can. Cuda's lucky to have survived this long. Stray finds meaning with Cuda and a connection to Lexus. But they're all slaves of a cruel master. Estelle is an alpha predator who crushes competition and dissent.

The Enforcer is not a wall-to-wall action film. Richard Hughes, a famed commercial director, makes the correct narrative decision with his feature debut. He gives Banderas time to establish Cuda's character and change of heart. This is a critical choice in a brisk ninety minutes. Hughes has a few bewildering editing cuts during the second act. I think this is where he decided to lessen the action and let Banderas carry the emotional weight. Cuda won't allow Billy to be sexually exploited. Stray has his back against their wicked boss. Banderas brings comradery to the ensemble.

The Enforcer surpasses typical genre films with a modicum of depth. The audience gets a filled violence quota but also cares about the characters. A surprisingly poetic ending further differentiates from the usual B-movie dreck.

The Enforcer is a production of Born to Burn Films, Millennium Media, and Nu Boyana Film Studios. It will have a VOD and theatrical release on September 23rd from Screen Media Film .

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The enforcer, common sense media reviewers.

Violent noir action has nudity, sex crime, smoking, cursing.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Theme of redemption.

Characters work in organized crime: Some might cho

Main character Cuda is Latino (although actor Anto

Sex trafficking. A teen girl is attacked and abduc

Sex workers, dancers, and bartenders in a club are

Near constant use of "f--k." Other strong language

Smoking by most characters throughout, made to loo

Parents need to know that The Enforcer is a neo-noir crime thriller. Antonio Banderas stars as Cuda (as in "barracuda"), a slick mob enforcer who knows his actions have cost him everything. When a path to redemption opens up, he follows it, no matter the personal cost. Part of his character evolution is the…

Positive Messages

Positive role models.

Characters work in organized crime: Some might choose to do the right thing in a given situation, but they're not role models. "Good" or compassionate actions from the main characters carry a self-serving reward.

Diverse Representations

Main character Cuda is Latino (although actor Antonio Banderas is European), and the teen runaway he helps is Black and depicted positively. There's one queer character, but this appears to be largely to create a provocative and steamy scene. The most powerful person in the film is a female mob boss, but she's not depicted positively. Other than Cuda's wife and daughter, who are rarely on camera, women are depicted as sex objects.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Sex trafficking. A teen girl is attacked and abducted. Frequent, intense violence. Shootings, many fatal and visual. Aggressive stabbings. Street fighting with quite a few punches and lots of blood and injuries.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Sex workers, dancers, and bartenders in a club are either topless or wearing leather and chain bikinis, trunks, and lingerie. Pornographic-style live feeds include images of scantily clad women touching themselves or each other. Kissing. Exotic dancing, including a steamy lap dance. Blooming romance between two characters who are shown kissing and, in an unrelated scene, waking up in the same bed.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Near constant use of "f--k." Other strong language includes "ass," "bitch," "bulls--t," "goddamn," and "s--t."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Smoking by most characters throughout, made to look cool. In a trap house, crime lords are shown lighting and smoking marijuana, a needle is shown being prepped. A girl who sits with the crime lords looks out of it, the implication being that she's high.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Enforcer is a neo-noir crime thriller. Antonio Banderas stars as Cuda (as in "barracuda"), a slick mob enforcer who knows his actions have cost him everything. When a path to redemption opens up, he follows it, no matter the personal cost. Part of his character evolution is the discovery of a sex trafficking ring, and victims are shown being violently abducted, kept in rooms with locked cell doors, and topless in sexualized attire. Images on a television in the background are meant to depict live sex cams, with women gyrating on camera. Much of the action takes place in a club that features scantily clad club dancers; one scene shows a steamy lap dance. While the suggestion of sex is everywhere, kissing is the only interaction that actually appears. Violence is extreme, with one storyline revolving around a street fighter who bare-knuckle fights opponents to bloody unconsciousness. There are also close-range shootings and stabbings, with plenty of blood and spray. Negative characters smoke pot, with the implication of heavier drug use. Most characters smoke cigarettes in a way that glamorizes the act. Expect drinking and strong language throughout, including near constant use of "f--k." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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What's the Story?

Fresh out of prison, Cuda ( Antonio Banderas ) returns to his former job as THE ENFORCER of an organized crime ring in Miami. When his daughter, disgusted by his past deeds, refuses to reconnect with him, Cuda takes a 15-year-old runaway ( Zolee Griggs ) under his wing. Feeling like he's lost one daughter who depended on him, he refuses to lose the other.

Is It Any Good?

Violent crime dramas are a dime a dozen, but this Miami-set redemption tale has some heart. As Cuda, Banderas dresses like the James Bond of organized crime, a signal that he's too classy to work for the mob (not to mention a reminder that Banderas is too classy to be in this kind of film). But he turns in a performance as solid as he might for a Pedro Almodóvar film, and that achievement shines a light on his fellow actors, whose work might otherwise be overlooked. Kate Bosworth takes an unexpected approach as a mob boss who exudes power through her calm and femininity. Australian newcomer Mojean Arias is street fighter Stray, a young man who's trying to figure out his path in a world with few options, and it's easy to see that he's one to watch. (On the other hand, while rap fans may enjoy seeing 2 Chainz, he should probably keep his day job.)

First-time feature director Richard Hughes and established writer W. Peter Iliff ( Point Break , Patriot Games , Varsity Blues ) work well together. The Enforcer isn't a great film by any stretch of the imagination, but the filmmakers' choice to use noir elements and tailor them to a world-weary henchman instead of a detective is an exciting adjustment. Viewers' introduction to Stray is attention-getting: The camera follows him for a full minute as he walks through the streets of Miami, psyching himself up for a fight. It's easy to imagine this scene being discussed at length in panels and conferences for the rest of Hughes' life. But once the story pivots into the underbelly of the Miami crime scene, it goes from gritty to icky. The hope that the film might rise above the low-budget guns-and-glory schlock the title promises disappears like Cuda's hope that he'll be able to escape his life of crime. By the end, it's clear that this is meant for audiences who enjoy a juicy blood splatter and dames in dominatrix gear holding a smoking gun.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about The Enforcer' s violence . Do the brutal scenes help get the movie's point across, or are they gratuitous? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

Are there any positive portrayals of sex here? Why do you think sex and violence are often paired in movies and TV shows?

What is redemption? How does protecting teen runaway Billie offer a path to redemption for Cuda, Stray, and Alexis?

Does this film objectify women? Why, or why not?

What elements of noir did you spot? How does this compare to other films in the noir and neo-noir genre that you've seen?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 23, 2022
• On DVD or streaming : November 8, 2022
• Cast : Antonio Banderas , Kate Bosworth , Mojean Aria
• Director : Richard Hughes
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Screen Media Films
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Run time : 90 minutes
• MPAA rating : R
• MPAA explanation : strong/bloody violence, language throughout, sexual content, nudity and drug use
• Last updated : March 25, 2024

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The Enforcer review – Antonio Banderas adds class to straight-to-video throwback

The star presumably had one eye on the paycheque in this by-the-numbers thriller about a debt collector punching and shooting his way to bloody revenge

A ntonio Banderas is a class act but there’s only so much class he can reasonably be expected to supply. Taking what was presumably an attractive paycheque, Banderas stars in a movie whose essential personality could only be appreciated if Blockbuster Video were to be brought back to life, just for one week, so this could be placed in the straight-to-video bin next to every till.

Veteran screenwriter W Peter Ilff (who co-wrote Point Break) has dug this one out of his desk drawer and Australian adman-turned-film-maker Richard Hughes directs. Banderas plays ’Cuda (short for Barracuda), a careworn Miami debt collector and ex-con, working for Estelle (Kate Bosworth), scary club owner and mob boss. He is estranged from the teen daughter who despises him and, out of fatherly sadness and a denied protective instinct, he tries to befriend and protect vulnerable runaway Billie (Zolee Griggs), who is promptly kidnapped and trafficked into a horrendous cybersex dungeon. The only way ’Cuda can save her is with his other mentoring project: a young guy called Stray (Mojean Aria) who earns money bareknuckle fighting and helping ’Cuda collect debts. Together they uncover an awful secret connecting them to this grisly exploitative crime.

This movie hangs together plausibly enough although there are plotholes, and perhaps it would have had more punch if it was ’Cuda’s actual daughter, as opposed to daughter-substitute, who had been taken. But The Enforcer does have a great example of that time-honoured gun denouement in which our hero, disarmed and resigned to being shot by the bad guy, flinches at the sound of the shot, realises he isn’t dead and then sees a third person who has shot the aggressor: this film has a nicely outrageous spin on that. Otherwise, it’s a film that should really exist on a VHS cassette.

• Crime films
• Antonio Banderas

Most viewed

The Enforcer

By Sumner Forbes | October 2, 2022

Is the universe collapsing into itself? So you’re telling me that A-list Spanish actor Antonio Banderas is headlining an action film that includes supporting roles from rapper 2 Chainz and popular model/influencer Alexis Ren? In director Richard Hughes’ middling action offering,  The Enforcer , written by W. Peter Iliff, that’s what we get. It features a bizarre turn from a well-seasoned actor in a story that struggles to set itself apart from the crowded pack.

In Miami, Stray (Mojean Aria) is a professional street fighter who regularly puts his skills as a pugilist to the test to make ends meet. His hyper-masculine badassery catches the eye of mafia enforcer Cuda (Banderas) and his comically evil boss Estelle (Kate Bosworth). In their quest for a brute that can help add a more, uh, convincing touch to their illicit business deals, they bring Stray into the fold. Cuda, a world-weary ex-con who’s trying to rekindle his relationship with his daughter, becomes a mentor of sorts to Stray, which takes on more meaning as they try to find a recently abducted young girl.

The Enforcer  is rife with seedy locales and brutal violence, but Hughes’ movie never feels particularly adventurous in terms of characters or the action. Sure, genre junkies don’t need or want a complex narrative when their primary motivation for watching is to see faces get smashed with golf clubs. However, even the most devoted action acolyte would want a story less filled with stale cliches. An angry, violent man attempting to redeem himself by rescuing an innocent, barely pubescent girl from hoods like 2 Chainz and his gang of malcontents is hardly original enough to move the needle.

“…[Cuda and Stray] try to find a recently abducted young girl .”

In the vast majority of cases, intense sequences of action aren’t enough. Whether it be  Lethal Weapon  or something as varied and frenetic as   RRR , snappy dialogue and a few moments of levity goes a long way towards improving the viewer experience by breaking up what would otherwise be a dour experience. And  The Enforcer  certainly is dour. But for what it’s worth, seeing the baddies get their comeuppance is undeniably cathartic.

The relationship between Stray and Cuda has potential. The debonair mannerisms of Cuda would have contrasted nicely with the uncouth demeanor of Stray, but this isn’t explored at any point in the script. As a result, Iliff really missed the opportunity to flesh out what should have been the most interesting aspect of the narrative.

Maybe Banderas wanted to capitalize on the popularity of the  Taken  or  John Wick  franchises, which is entirely understandable. For a man used to covering a wide range of genres, the role of the older action star is one with a certain degree of cultural cache.  The Enforcer , though, just isn’t the right vehicle.

The Enforcer (2022)

Directed: Richard Hughes

Written: W. Peter Iliff

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Mojean Aria, Kate Bosworth, 2 Chainz, Alexis Ren, etc.

Movie score: 5.5/10

"…seeing the baddies get their comeuppance is undeniably cathartic..."

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The Enforcer (2022) Review: An irredeemable action thriller that depends on mafia film cliches

Directed by Richard Hughes, the film stars Antonio Banderas in the lead role as a mafia enforcer named Cuda. Besides him, Kate Bosworth stars in the film and plays the role of his femme fatale boss named Estelle, whose orders he abides by. Mojean Aria plays the role of Stray, a fighter who gets into brawls any time he can get a chance to do so and attacks with the spirit of a dedicated fighter. Cuda learns about his competence after a fight he wins, which puts him on a map of influential people from the crime circle of mafias. He meets Estelle who offers him the role of henchman for Cuda, and he goes along with it.

An alternate narrative takes shape within this one where Antonio’s gangster character comes across a young girl whom he wants to help at any cost. He reminds him of his young daughter, around the same age, who despises him since she learned about the kind of life he leads. The angle of the dysfunctional family for a mafia entity is such a tired trope and still, The Enforcer goes on to use it with a smug seriousness that falls upon its own head. While the complicated father-daughter dynamic doesn’t work due to its lack of inventiveness, even the dynamic of his character with this girl that he comes across feels nothing but a cheap imitation of the nuanced relationship built by Paul Schrader in Taxi Driver. In fact, that was the first thought that came to my mind when Cudo sees the girl and wishes to help her with an intent filled with genuine kindness. He feels like a needlessly rugged version of Travis Bickle and is not developed nearly as much as Scorsese’s character.

While Mojean Aria and Kate Bosworth can make you want to stay throughout the duration because of their performances, they are not enough to mask the inadequacies of the film from its scripting to its narration. The arc of redemption that the film attempts through its script might feel satisfying to a viewer. However, what The Enforcer takes you through to reach there is a heap of mess that I wished to have rather skipped. 

Read More: The Invitation (2022) Movie, Ending Explained – What purpose did Evie have at the wedding?

The enforcer (2022) trailer.

THE ENFORCER (2022) LINKS: IMDB ROTTEN TOMATOES THE ENFORCER (2022) CAST: Antonio Banderas, Kate Bosworth, Mojean Aria, Alexis Ren, Zolee Griggs

Where to watch the enforcer, trending right now.

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The Enforcer Reviews

... Magnum Force, was poorly made but did have some cheap nastiness; the third in the series, the new. The Enforcer, doesn't have the savvy to be sadistic. It's just limp.

Full Review | Jan 23, 2024

It's truly very violent, but it is also tremendously effective. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Aug 15, 2023

If you like Clint Eastwood, San Francisco and or blood, you know you'll enjoy it. If you like subtlety, you know you'll do better to stay at home and watch the Beverly Hillbillies.

Full Review | May 9, 2023

... A straightforward cop thriller, but also a historical snapshot of American manhood dealing with the rising wave of feminism.

Full Review | Sep 9, 2022

Tyne Daly's fine performance as a committed policewoman served as a warm-up for her star-making role on TV's Cagney and Lacey.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 16, 2021

By the time the film gets around to tracking and nailing the terrorist group at the heart of the plot, it almost feels like another movie altogether.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Aug 29, 2020

In a tiresome, violent tale involving a kidnapping, San Francisco becomes a shooting gallery in which the characters are set up simply to be shot down.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 3, 2020

"The Enforcer" is a violent movie. That's what shapes it, sells it and ultimately sinks it.

Full Review | Aug 3, 2020

Dirty Harry sequel addresses sexism; lots of violence

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 6, 2016

Daly as character Kate is very empathetic and riveting to watch...

Full Review | Aug 20, 2012

...lacks a strong, clearly defined villainous presence. Still, Eastwood's flinty-eyed stare and snarling lip are more than enough.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | May 21, 2010

The spitball script [from a story by Gail Morgan Hickman and S.W. Schurr] lurches along, stopping periodically for the blood-lettings and assorted running and jumping and chasing stuff.

Full Review | Jun 26, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 1, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 4, 2007

Despite inferior contributions from most departments, Eastwood carries the picture, and Tyne Daly does well as the female cop against very stacked odds.

Full Review | Jan 26, 2006

Throughout, this is Harry at his comic best.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

Finally, we know Lacey's secret past...she was killed in the line of duty

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 28, 2005

A series that has become too familiar using the same old formula.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Sep 11, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 30, 2005

Dirty Harry has a female partner...briefly. Blasting action.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 12, 2005

9 Lowest Rated Movies that You Won't Believe are on Netflix

P repare yourself for a journey into the unexpected as we explore a collection of movies that, despite their less-than-glowing reviews, have found a place on Netflix’s expansive catalog. From quirky comedies to controversial dramas, these films defy expectations and offer a unique viewing experience. Here are nine movies with ratings that might surprise you:

The Emoji Movie (2017)

Enter the vibrant world of Textopolis, where emojis inhabit their digital realm, each confined to expressing just one emotion. Yet, when Gene, an emoji capable of multiple expressions, embarks on a quest to become “normal,” he sets off on an adventure with unlikely companions, challenging the status quo in a whimsical tale filled with humor and heart.

The Open House (2018)

Following a tragic loss, a mother and her teenage son seek solace in a relative’s secluded vacation home. However, their retreat takes a chilling turn when they encounter unexplained phenomena that hint at malevolent forces lurking within the shadows. As tensions mount and fear grips them, they must confront the sinister truth behind the house’s secrets to survive.

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In this comedic sequel to Daddy Day Care, bumbling dads Charlie and Phil take on the challenge of reviving a dilapidated summer camp. As they grapple with rowdy campers and crumbling facilities, they must summon their inner courage and creativity to transform chaos into camaraderie in a heartwarming tale of friendship and fun.

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011)

Twins Rebecca and Cecil find themselves thrust into a high-stakes adventure when they team up with their retired secret agent stepmother to thwart the plans of a time-manipulating villain. As they navigate a world of gadgets and espionage, they discover the true meaning of family and heroism in a whirlwind of action and excitement.

The Hungover Games (2014)

After a raucous bachelor party, three friends awaken to find themselves transported to a bizarre world where they must compete in the outrageous “Hungover Games.” With their lives on the line and absurd challenges at every turn, they embark on a hilarious and perilous journey to survive and unravel the mystery of their predicament.

Crossroads (2002)

Join childhood friends Lucy, Mimi, and Kit as they embark on a cross-country road trip filled with laughter, love, and self-discovery. As they navigate the twists and turns of life, they confront their pasts, embrace their futures, and forge bonds that will last a lifetime in a heartfelt journey of friendship and growth.

365 Days: This Day (2022)

Laura and Massimo’s passionate romance faces new challenges as they navigate the complexities of love, loyalty, and family ties. When a mysterious suitor enters their lives, their bond is put to the test, forcing them to confront their deepest desires and the consequences of their actions in a gripping tale of passion and betrayal.

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Explore the controversial relationship between Laura and Massimo, a mafia boss who kidnaps her and gives her one year to fall in love with him. As Laura navigates the tumultuous waters of desire and danger, she must grapple with her conflicting emotions and the moral implications of her predicament in a provocative and polarizing story.

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The post 9 Lowest Rated Movies that You Won't Believe are on Netflix appeared first on New York Tech Media .

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, the ministry of ungentlemanly warfare.

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Just when you think they’ve run out of real-life World War II stories to turn into blockbuster movies, some documents get declassified, inspiring or at least suggesting new sagas of heroism. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” about a small mission of Allied fighters killing Nazis on a grand scale wherever they go, directed by Guy Ritchie from a script by Ritchie, Paul Tamasy , Eric Johnson , and Arash Amel , claims as source material information that only became available after some secret history stuff was declassified in 2016. It also happens to be, according to its credits, based on a book by Damien Lewis called Churchill’s Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperados of World War II,  which was published in 2014. As it happens, a book by Giles Milton called The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare was published in 2017, but apparently not used for this movie.

Confused? Imagine how I felt when the film itself purports to open in 1942, and yet features its fictionalized Winston Churchill ( Rory Kinnear ) complaining about the United States’ reluctance to join the war. Like Pearl Harbor never happened! Granted, it only happened in December of 1941, and this picture opens in January of 1942, and after its crowd-pleasing Nazi-slaughtering opening scene in which Our Heroes, big-chested and bushy-faced and looking like they stepped out of a 1960s Jack Kirby comic (the pictures of the real-life figures rolled out before the closing credits are of weedier, paler Brits), dispatch  not just a small squad but an entire gunship from their innocent looking “fishing boat,” there’s a title card reading “25 days before” and I’m sitting there doing math in my head and is it adding up ... ?

My advice to you if you’re going to watch this picture is to forget about these things. And, anyway, Churchill’s movie point has more to do with the Atlantic being stocked with German U-boats, which will likely blast any American ship bearing supplies or personnel right out of the water. British military intelligence, here represented by Cary Elwes and Freddie Fox (who plays Ian Fleming , and, yes, it’s the Ian Fleming; the movie makes a point at the end of telling us that the derring-do we’ve just witnessed and the folks who perpetrated it directly inspired his spy novels and James Bond and all that) concoct a scheme in which a special ops force will sail down to the Gulf of Guinea and take out a ship packed with supplies for the aforementioned U-boats. Without supplies, the subs can’t function and hence the shipping-across-the-Atlantic problem gets at least temporarily solved.

The movie goes for a “Dirty Dozen”/“Inglorious Basterds” vibe. Henry Cavill , extravagantly bearded and mustached, plays Gus March Phillips, first presented to the brass in shackles. After sampling their brandy and stealing their cigars, he puts together his crew, all of them apparent rebels and reprobates and rule-breakers, and which includes one really big-chested guy (Alan Richson) who’s a master archer. What good is a master archer in a firefight, you might ask. Well, you can take out Nazis in guard towers in relative silence with such weapons, which helps when you’re breaking out a team member who’s been imprisoned by the Germans. There’s also the requisite explosive expert, and so on. (Among the players of these mayhem-makers are Henry Golding and Alex Pettyfer .) On the ground a femme fatale played by Eiza Gonzalez and an undercover agent who operates a casino bar near the port ( Babs Olusanmokun ) conspire to distract the Nazis tending the targeted ship.

Unlike Alex Garland ’s “ Civil War ,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is commendably upfront about its politics. That is, it’s extremely anti-Nazi. No prevarication here. Germans exist in this film pretty much only to be shot (with bullets and arrows) or stabbed (multiple times and in the most sensitive-to-stabbing corporeal locations) to death. Sometimes before they die, they deliver smug Nazi speeches, which gives their subsequent horrible painful deaths an added thrill. And while “ The Dirty Dozen ” and scores of other WWII movies bowed to the sacrifices of life and limb made by Our Own Fighting Forces, “Ministry” makes a point of … well, not to give too much away, but every time one of its heroic fighters seems in a spot, the danger is only there to reveal an ingenious way of getting them out of it. If World War II itself had gone this smoothly, the Allies would have made it to Berlin before “ Casablanca ” got its wide release. (That would be January of 1943.)

While the action and suspense set pieces are executed with typical Ritchie bravura, the movie falls flat a lot of the time in between. Despite its four credited screenwriters, there’s not much verbal crackle at play—this is a largely British production in which its characters signal their Britishness by calling things “bloody this” and “bloody that” mostly. And the historical oddities do continue to grate even after you’ve resolved to turn off your mind, relax and float downstream. The sexually sadistic (of course) Nazi officer played here by Til Schwieger (speaking of “ Inglourious Basterds ”) entertains Gonzalez’s character by playing her a recording of “Die Moritat von Mackie Messer,” which we know as “Mack the Knife”; later in the picture, Gonzalez sings a (mostly) English version of the song. Given that the songs co-composers Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht were expelled from Germany in 1933 (Weill was Jewish, Brecht a commie) the notion of a Nazi favoring that tune seems farfetched (and “The Threepenny Opera,” the satirical musical from which it was derived, was banned by the Third Reich). Brecht and Weill themselves would likely blanche at the notion of a Nazi being entertained by their work. But that’s what passes for cheeky iconoclasm these days I suppose.

Glenn Kenny

Glenn Kenny was the chief film critic of Premiere magazine for almost half of its existence. He has written for a host of other publications and resides in Brooklyn. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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The enforcer (2022) review.

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The Enforcer was directed by Richard Hughes, written by W. Peter Iliff, and stars Antonio Banderas, Mojean Aria, Zolee Griggs, Alexis Ren, and Kate Bosworth. It follows an underground enforcer as he turns his life’s trajectory around to save a young girl from his own boss.

The Plot: Sometimes you just know when a movie is going to be exactly what it implies from its poster, tagline and title. The Enforcer is one of those movies – one that draws from the piles of redemption-focused, hitman-oriented features and makes no impression of its own. Bareknuckle boxer Stray (Aria) has made an impression in the fight club scene – so much so that gangster Estelle (Bosworth) wants him on her side for low-level smash and grab jobs. In a bid to win over the young man, she pairs him with debt collector Cuda (Banderas) to see if he has the drive and the interest in kicking doors down for cash. What the movie has to its advantage is a skill in switching from character to character, as soon after Stray’s first night, The Enforcer glides to Cuda, whose personal problems receive some kind of remedy when he meets Billie (Griggs). After switching to a subplot involving Stray and Lexus (Ren), who he met at Estelle’s establishment which is more superfluous than enlightening, Hughes returns to Cuda as he finds that Billie has gone missing, obviously at the hands of his own boss. Bowing to market demands, The Enforcer brings Cuda and Stray back together to hunt for Billie, who’s buried somewhere beneath the surface of Miami along with the requisite drug pushers, sex traffickers and street thugs. As a story, Iliff’s screenplay doesn’t offer much to write home about; it gets the job done without daring to rise above the proverbial bar. The Characters: Nothing about the characters in The Enforcer is special, but Iliff understands how to do a basic redemption arc better than most. Distractive side characters weaken the journey, but there’s a centrical force in the midst of all the tropes. Cuda has only recently been let out from behind bars, and although he’s quick to get back to brutal work, his attitude has soured towards it. It’s his daughter’s upcoming 16th birthday that has him ruminating on the past, but neither she, nor his ex-wife want anything to do with his attempts to fix what’s broken. Substituting his daughter is Billie, who doesn’t make much of an impression and as such the movie has to rely on Banderas to convey the emotion that the script couldn’t. He’s game, and his electrifying acting does numbers for Hughes’s outing. Stray is another helping of formulaic characterization; though not much backstory is given, we can see through his fighting skills, familiarity with the environment, and ability to fix a car that he’s been raised by the streets. While he’s proud of what he can do, he doesn’t like doing it, desiring a life that doesn’t require taking hits as often as he does to get by. Stray’s dynamics are mixed though; when conversing with Cuda about life’s path and Estelle’s business model, there’s an interesting perspective shift – but when he’s with Lexus – another supporting character with little attention paid, the movie suffers. Using familiar concepts works out alright for Iliff, who’s able to craft some decent main characters, but can’t manage to fit the side characters in. Narrowing down the already small cast could’ve elevated the final product, but “good enough” will have to do.

The Crime: For as pedestrian as the script is, The Enforcer is still an acceptable visualization of criminality. While just about every sequence has been done better before, brief moments involving Cuda’s seasoned persona stick out as better than average, even if the rest doesn’t. Introductions aren’t the strong suit of the picture, which has all of the generic hallmarks of the genre; from the second lead’s built-in experience with illegal combat, to Estelle’s base of operations in the back of a nightclub, to Stray’s first job tossing him in the deep end and requiring to sink or swim. All told, the first act doesn’t last long in the memory banks before being supplanted by more of the same that comes down the pipeline. Hughes allows the characters to work their way through the motions and establish the world, but it’s once the movie digs a little deeper beneath the surface level that it finds something more than mere watchability. Cuda, despite being “in the game” for a long time, has much to learn upon his release from prison. Much of this new digital crime has been learned by others, and has been sampled by Estelle, but the dealings don’t sit well with the hardened man and his protege, who are forced to sit down and talk with a frontrunner in the cyber-sex trafficking industry. These sequences tread the line between exploitation and dramatization effectively enough to sit comfortably within the film. Once the duo makes their decision about sticking around, The Enforcer does switch into thriller mode – which is fine since a lot of the gangster goings on were only barely landing – but the final act could’ve been rewritten in a way that prioritizes the story’s established characters instead of involving new ones that have even less development than the others. If nothing else, the crime is competent and quick, but a lack of details doesn’t help the cause. The Technics: While this may be his first feature, director Richard Hughes has been making slick pieces for a long time with commercials for huge brands that have racked up millions of dollars due to his work. That translates to his film debut, which shows promise. Minor insert shots of the street-level interactions are included to make sure that the nights contrast with the days, which are more sedated in their amounts of violence. A textured world is created with these little bits, shot superbly by cinematographer Callan Green and smoothed out with the assistance of a talented crew. The fact that they made Thessaloniki, Greece an effective stand-in for Miami is testament to their abilities. Not everything will go will in a first outing, and there are issues with the editing. Though Damian F. Gomez and Mattias Morheden do a very good job of keeping the movie from overextending itself, some things are out of their control; continuity errors and timeline blurriness pop up now and again but aren’t hugely detrimental. Casting is another problem though, as aside from Banderas’s impressive work, no one sticks out for the right reasons (rapper 2 Chainz does not make an intimidating side character). A middling script is likely to blame as it includes plenty of cliched locations, dialogue, and subpar rap tracks which litter the runtime. You’ve seen this all before. The Enforcer brings out greatness in Banderas but mediocrity from most others involved. Its averageness can’t be denied, but a new talent in Hughes shines through – so maybe this will be looked back on later – but not for now.

Release date (US): September 23, 2022

Distributor: Screen Media

Runtime: 90 minutes

MPAA rating: R

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Challengers

Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his f... Read all Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend. Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend.

• Luca Guadagnino
• Justin Kuritzkes
• Josh O'Connor
• 24 User reviews
• 77 Critic reviews
• 85 Metascore
• 1 nomination

• Tashi Donaldson

• Art Donaldson

• Patrick Zweig
• Umpire (New Rochelle Final)

• Art's Physiotherapist

• Art's Security Guard
• (as a different name)
• Tashi's Mother
• Line Judge (New Rochelle Final)
• TV Sports Commentator (Atlanta 2019)

• Leo Du Marier

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• Motel Front Desk Clerk
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• Trivia To prepare for her role, Zendaya spent three months with pro tennis player-turned-coach, Brad Gilbert .

Tashi Donaldson : I'm taking such good care of my little white boys.

• Connections Referenced in OWV Updates: The Seventh OWV Awards - Last Update of 2022 (2022)

User reviews 24

• simonpete-83091
• Apr 21, 2024
• When will Challengers be released? Powered by Alexa
• April 26, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Những Kẻ Thách Đấu
• Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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• Dolby Digital
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After charming her for a few minutes, he informs her that he murdered the occupants of the pickup spot and seems poised to do the same to her until she deliberately crashes her car and runs away; as fate would have it, alas, this is only the beginning of a long night of cat and mouse in which he’s largely absent. A skilled hacker with an encyclopedic knowledge of the algorithms that hum in the background of our daily lives, his presence is more virtual than physical.

“I’m not making this up,” Clare tells her mother on the phone after being dismissed by the police and suspended by the rideshare company. “This isn’t like last time.” This naturally leads us to wonder whether she is, in fact, making it up, as her pursuer — whose name just so happens to be an anagram of hers — relentlessly follows her with the single-minded intensity of, well, the supernatural entity from “It Follows.” The camera does too, with Paul Yee’s fluid cinematography lending the proceedings an immediacy befitting the life-or-death stakes. “The Stranger” takes place over 12 hours but has the feeling of realtime.

What it doesn’t have is an inventive narrative, with few scenes matching the level of dread created by that inside-the-car opening: the slow realization that something is amiss, the fight-or-flight panic that results from being in a confined space with a confessed murderer who seems to know everything about you. That premise has no shortage of potential, and while the film doesn’t squander it, it doesn’t maximize it either, to the extent that the behind-the-scenes story (about the project’s post-Quibi fate) winds up being more distinctive than the actual plot. Monroe is an adept driver as usual — were this a rideshare app, she’d certainly get five stars — but she’s behind the wheel of a too-familiar vehicle.

Reviewed on Hulu, April 15, 2024. Running time: 98 MIN.

• Production: A Hulu presentation of a KMF Films production. Producer: Wileen Dragovan. Executive producer: Veena Sud.
• Crew: Director, writer: Veena Sud. Camera: Paul Yee. Editor: Philip Fowler. Music: Bobby Krlic, James Kelly.
• With: Maika Monroe, Dane DeHaan, Avan Jogia, Roxana Brusso, Gita Reddy.

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