Directed by: Tanya Wexler
Screen writer: Scott Wascha
Release date: July 23, 2021
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Jai Courtney, Bobby Cannavale, Laverne Cox, Stanley Tucci
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Comedy
Film review by Ndinelao Erna Muuleni
Kate Beckinsale stars in the new Amazon Prime original as the character Lindy, a beautiful, extraordinary woman with a painful secret: Due to a lifelong neurological disorder, Lindy is unable to control her impulses, and has a ‘’hair trigger’’. This disorder makes her faster and stronger than the average human being, but it also makes her extremely volatile and somewhat dangerous when provoked, intentionally or unintentionally. After many failed attempts, a breakthrough was made in her treatment. It was painful and barbaric but surprisingly affective. After the murder of a friend, Linda goes on a revenge-fuelled rampage to bring justice to her friend.
From the onset of the movie, you are taken back to Linda’s early ages, a troubled kid with violent hyperaggressive violent tendencies. This is evident when we see her harming the administrators of her treatment into a bloody mess. There is a significant amount of exposition at the beginning which the film could really do without.
Kate Beckinsale deserves a significant amount of credit for her amazing energetic performance, she is constantly having fun and oozing with charisma and sets a fun vibe for the film. It is basically Kate’s version of the movie “Crank” without the arousing adrenaline charge. The overall plot on the other hand is weird, extremely predictable and does not quite come together. There is a lot of inconsistency in the film, and it ultimately brings you to the conclusion that the film does not take itself seriously and does not want to either. The ending attempts to bring in a shock factor but is a big let-down even as it sets up a potential sequel which it does not quite need according to public opinion. Jolt could do with a polish-up.
This is a good film for those that prefer easy going, fun, weird action-comedy, however it is red flags for those looking for Oscar worthy flushed out characters with a jaw dropping script.
