Desperation Road (2023) Movie Review

Desperation Road – Movie Review

Director: Nadine Crocker

Writer: Michael Farris Smith (Screenplay)

Cast

• Willa Fitzgerald (The Fall of the House of Usher)
• Mel Gibson (Braveheart)
• Ryan Hurst (Remember the Titans)
• Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy)
• Kat Foster (Accommodations)

Plot: A Southern Noir thriller, set in a tough-and-tumble Mississippi town where a woman and her young daughter are caught in the crossfire when whiskey, guns, and the desire for revenge violently intersect.

Runtime: 1 Hour 52 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Desperation Road starts when Maben (Fitzgerald) is travelling with her daughter Annalee (Braun). She is moving from motel to motel, as they are just looking to survive. However, an incident causes her to go into an even deeper hiding. Elsewhere, Russell (Hedlund) gets released from prison, finding Larry (Hurst) waiting for him. He has a score to settle against the ex-con, one he has been waiting for.

As Maben and Russell try to make their own lives, they find themselves targeted by the same group. Russell offers them shelter with his father Mitchell (Gibson), as he looks to correct his past mistakes. However, their pasts will come back to haunt them over time.

Verdict on Desperation Road

Desperation Road is an action thriller following two lost souls who get wrapped up in a crime. They have lived difficult lives and now they see their pasts catching up with them. However, their chance meeting leads to them facing an uncertain future.

This is a thriller showing the struggles of people in small-town America. It shows an incident that triggers one series of events, while also remembering what happened before. This never seems to feel as connected as it could. While the simmering atmosphere of the struggle comes through. There are some nice performances that show how difficult their lives have become.

Where to Watch: Signature Entertainment presents Desperation Road on Digital Platforms on 20th November.

Final Thoughts – Desperation Road is a small-town thriller about needing another chance.