The Contractor (2022) Review
Directed by: Tarik Saleh
Starring: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Gillian Jacobs, Kiefer Sutherland
Synopsis: Chris Pine stars in the action-packed thriller as Special Forces Sergeant James Harper, who is involuntarily discharged from the Army and cut-off from his pension. In debt, out of options and desperate to provide for his family, Harper contracts with a private underground military force. When the very first assignment goes awry, the elite soldier finds himself hunted and on the run, caught in a dangerous conspiracy and fighting to stay alive long enough to get home and uncover the true motives of those who betrayed him. Also starring Kiefer Sutherland, Ben Foster, Gillian Jacobs and Eddie Marsan.
Review: Chris Pine delivers an outstanding performance as James Harper, an army ranger who is kicked out the army due to taking meds for a leg injury he had suffered and to make matters worse he is also denied his pension. In order for Harper to provide for his family he must work as a contractor – a mercenary. He has loads of options but opts to work for Rusty (Kiefer Sutherland) who also works with long time friend of Harper’s, Mike (Ben Foster).
The mission Harper is sent on ends up going awry and after a fierce gun battle Harper is forced to go on the run and fight for survival and the truth. Was he set up? Why did his team get ambushed, who can he trust and why are people trying to kill him? These are only a few of the difficulties Harper has to get to the bottom of.
The movie’s action is very well choreographed. The Contractor is more than a simple meat and potatoes action movie, it’s a character piece with intense sequences, brutal and unexpected deaths, tension will keep you glued to the screen and an interesting story in regards to vets and life after the military. This movie is more for fans of the ‘slow burn’ thriller rather than the ’empty a clip’ a minute action movie.
The Contractor is a tense action-thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. The cast deliver exceptional performances and keep you engaged, it was refreshing seeing Chris Pine in this sort of role and it would be great to see him in more roles like this. The audience won’t know who to trust right up until the explosive finale, which is very satisfying and worth the wait.
The Contractor is available in Theaters and On Demand and Digital April 1st!
