The Avenger – Review
The Avenger tries its best to be a hard-hitting, high-stakes thriller about love, loss, and the lengths a father will go to protect his family. Set against the gritty backdrop of Los Angeles, the film follows Matt Hollis (Mark Harris), who’s thrown into a nightmare after the sudden death of his son. Looking for a fresh start, he takes his estranged wife Alison (Anna Nightingale) and young daughter Lara (Honor Kneafsey) on a trip to LA, but their supposed healing holiday soon unravels in the worst way.
The storyline is pretty straightforward: when his wife is attacked and his daughter is kidnapped, Matt finds himself racing against time to track down his child, while the police wrongfully suspect him of the crime. It’s a plot that holds promise, drawing from real life trafficking cases and the adrenaline-fuelled tradition of Taken, but with a Brit twist.
Mark Harris, who also co-wrote and directed the film, plays the father with an earnest ferocity, selling his desperation and determination. Dialogue and pacing feel somewhat forced and inconsistent at times, with some action sequences such as when the police first arrive, feeling contrived and so unrealistic they pull you out of the story a little.
Harris’s performance as the grief-stricken father is undoubtedly committed, capturing both a parental protectiveness and the grim determination to beat a ticking clock. Anna Nightingale as Alison and Honor Kneafsey are strong, particularly in scenes where you feel the family’s loss and vulnerability. The supporting cast don’t get an awful lot to work with, but they’re largely “fine”.
The cinematography captures LA with an almost voyeuristic edge, giving the city a raw, foreboding atmosphere, which serves the story well. It helps the film feel grounded.
If you’re a fan of British indie thrillers, you’re likely to love this, particularly if you can forgive its rougher edges and embrace its attempts at suspense and raw emotion. It’s not a Hollywood blockbuster, but it has a gritty charm that, if nothing else, showcases the commitment of its cast and creators. I’m pretty sure it was made around a decade ago and has gone through some changes of title, which gives an idea of that commitment. It’s one of those low budget thrillers that surprises you with how good it is and makes you wonder what could have been if it had a big budget.
The Avenger is an ambitious thriller with a strong emotional core, but struggles at times with execution. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it will definitely appeal to fans of British indie cinema or those looking for a DIY-style action thriller with a solid family storyline at its heart.
On digital 11 November from Miracle Media
