Thriller Explores Trauma and Tenacity

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MOVIE REVIEW
You Can’t Run Forever
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Genre: Drama, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 43m
Director(s): Michelle Schumacher
Writer(s): Carolyn Carpenter, Michelle Schumacher
Cast: J.K. Simmons, Fernanda Urrejola, Allen Leech, Isabelle Anaya, Nathan Vincenti, Graham Patrick Martin, Andres Velez, Kevin G. Quinn, Olivia Simmons, Michael Spears, Alet Taylor
Where To Watch: released in select theaters, On Digital, and On Demand on May 17, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: YOU CAN’T RUN FOREVER transforms your standard family drive into a relentless fight for survival, thrusting them into a chilling encounter with a cold-blooded killer. The film opens with a harrowing scene at a gas station where Wade, portrayed with eerie intensity by J.K. Simmons, begins his rampage. Instead of refueling, Wade shoots a man who is criticizing his dog and then proceeds to kill anyone in sight indiscriminately, setting the tone for his sinister character. This introduction establishes Wade as a menacing force, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake.

At the heart of this thriller is Miranda, played by Isabelle Anaya, a troubled young woman grappling with her parents' divorce and the loss of her father. Her strained relationship with her mother, Jenny, portrayed by Fernanda Urrejola, and stepfather, Eddie, played by Allen Leech, adds a layer of tension. Miranda’s emotional turmoil is compounded by the imminent arrival of a new sibling, further complicating her feelings of displacement within her family.

The narrative turns sharply when Miranda and Eddie have a random encounter with Wade at a rest area. From this point, the film shifts into high gear, with Miranda fleeing through the woods while Wade relentlessly pursues her, killing anyone who crosses his path. The local law enforcement, led by the inexperienced deputies Dwyer (Graham Patrick Martin) and Morgan (Andres Velez), are quickly overwhelmed by the situation (this tracks pretty well.) Despite their efforts, they are, as usual, shown as being out of their depth, adding to the sense of helplessness that permeates the film.

Directed by Michelle Schumacher in her third feature, YOU CAN’T RUN FOREVER crosses several plot threads: Miranda’s perilous escape, Wade’s unyielding chase, and the chaotic attempts of the local police to track them. The suspense is heightened on the home front, where Jenny and Miranda's stepsister Emily (Olivia Simmons) anxiously await news of Miranda’s fate. Schumacher, who co-wrote the script with Carolyn Carpenter, attempts to blend the tension of a chase thriller with the emotional weight of a family drama. However, the film occasionally struggles to maintain a cohesive focus.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its robust performances. Leech brings a grounded realism to his role, navigating the tension. Anaya delivers a spirited, primarily physical performance as Miranda. Her character's transformation from a terror-stricken victim to a defiant survivor forms the emotional backbone of the story. Simmons excels as Wade, imbuing the character with a chilling blend of menace and dark humor. His interactions with his victims, often lingering to examine their personal effects, add a sinister twist to his already daunting presence. Seeing him on screen for more than a few brief moments was also a welcome sight.

While the film aims to explore themes of unpredictability and the enduring impacts of past traumas, it struggles to weave these elements into a cohesive final message. The additional characters and side stories create a cluttered landscape, detracting from the main storyline’s urgency. The final confrontation, although exciting, does not fully deliver on the film’s initial promise, leading to a resolution that feels anticlimactic. On top of that, some characters making implausibly bad decisions to advance the plot detract from the film’s overall impact.

YOU CAN’T RUN FOREVER melds psychological intrigue dramatically, highlighted by commendable performances, particularly from Simmons and Leech. The film explores how sudden adversities can either break or reinforce the bonds of family and spirit. Although it doesn’t consistently deliver on all its ambitions, it provides a compelling watch for those who enjoy stories of human endurance and the chaotic nature of fate. YOU CAN’T RUN FOREVER remains a surprisingly solid addition to the thriller genre, drawing viewers into an intense ordeal that tests the limits of family loyalty and personal courage.

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[photo courtesy of LIONSGATE, GRINDSTONE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, RUBBER TREE PRODUCTIONS]

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