A woman thru-hiking an isolated trail runs into trouble when her pack is hijacked by two men hiding out in the woods, desperate and on the run. Now, stranded and left to fend for herself, she has a choice: crawl back to her normal life in defeat, or push forward and take back what was stolen from her. Celeste M Cooper, Sean Patrick Leonard, Michael B. Woods, and Tiffany Renee Johnson star in a film that starts as a slow burner but delivers an intriguing plot.
The cast is watchable and convincing, with Celeste M Cooper delivering a proficient performance as ‘Mel’ the protagonist. Philip S. Plowden’s direction is equally competent and the occasional shots of the Makanda landscape, where filming took place, sets up an atmosphere for a good thriller. One expects a fusion of the Wrong Turn franchise and the Curtis Hanson’s River Wild but the film’s potential falls short due to series unrealistic scenarios and unfounded decisions by the main character, particularly in the latter part of the film. A disappointment but it does have some entertainment value and thought-provoking moments that encourage you to reflect on life’s adversities, survival, and an ability to move forward, whatever circumstances you face.
The film is released on September 8 on digital from Dark Star Pictures and Uncork’d Entertainment.
Movie Rating Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Great for the Fans
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
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