Peppermint (2018)

Peppermint (2018)

7/10

Starring

Jennifer Garner

John Ortiz

John Gallagher Jr.

Directed by Pierre Morel

I have to say, the martial arts scenes, gunfights, and the whole vigilante approach by Riley North, played by Jennifer Garner, are worth watching. The plot might not be the most airtight, but the movie is so engaging and action-packed that you find yourself rooting for her to do even more damage. Why critics don’t like this movie is beyond me—what’s not to like?

The action is solid, the plot is straightforward after a somewhat weird start, and the ending delivers exactly what you’d hope for when it comes to dealing with corrupt officers and those meant to uphold the law.

The movie starts off with a convoluted opening. It begins with Riley pointing a gun at someone and saying, “You don’t remember me, do you?” before shooting them. Right away, you know this is a revenge story, but you’re left wondering—revenge for what? Clearly, the movie wanted to build suspense, so I played along. As expected, the scene is followed by a flashback that explains how everything unfolded.

The intro dragged a bit and didn’t hold my interest much, but once the story picks up, it moves fast. Riley becomes dangerously determined, throwing caution to the wind, and the action ramps up quickly.

Riley and her husband, Chris, are having financial challenges but are still doing their best to make things work while showering love on their only daughter.

One of Chris’s friends approaches him about participating in a robbery targeting a powerful drug baron, Diego. However, Diego gets wind of the plan and catches all the men involved. Even though Chris decides to back out of the scheme, Diego wants to make an example of him. To send a message, Diego orders the murder of Chris, their daughter, and Riley.

Riley survives the attack. She identifies the shooters to the police, but it’s clear from the start that Diego has corrupt officers and a judge in his pocket. The case is thrown out of court.

Outraged, Riley tries to attack her family’s killers in the courtroom but is stopped and sent to a psychiatric ward. However, she manages to escape and goes underground to transform herself into a skilled vigilante. Five years later, she resurfaces in L.A. to take revenge on everyone involved in her family’s death.

The film’s soundtrack adds to the intensity of the story, and it’s easy to imagine this movie working as a two-parter. However, you also get the sense that extending it might ruin its appeal, so it’s better as a standalone.

I highly recommend giving this movie a watch. It’s available on Netflix.