Name: Force of Nature
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Released: 2020-07-02T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Mel Gibson, Emile Hirsch, Kate Bosworth, David Zayas, Stephanie Cayo

The opening shot of Force of Nature (2020) is a storm brewing over a high-rise apartment building, the wind howling like a siren, setting the stage for Michael Polish’s action thriller. The film throws together a gang of thieves planning a heist during Hurricane Florence and a disgraced cop, Ray (Mel Gibson), determined to evacuate everyone in the building. It’s a premise that should crackle with tension, but instead, it fizzles like a wet firecracker.

The film’s strongest element is its cast, particularly Mel Gibson as Ray. Gibson brings his trademark gruff charisma to the role, making Ray’s stubborn determination feel grounded even when the script strains credibility. Emile Hirsch as Cardillo, the lead thief, holds his own with a performance that balances cunning and desperation. The supporting cast, including Kate Bosworth as Troy and David Zayas as John the Baptist, adds texture to the ensemble, though their characters often feel more like archetypes than fully realized individuals.

Visually, Polish leans into the hurricane setting, using tight close-ups and shaky cam during the storm scenes to create a sense of claustrophobic chaos. The apartment building becomes a character in itself, its hallways and rooms transforming into a maze of tension and danger. However, the film’s pacing stumbles midway through, as the heist plotline meanders without sufficient momentum. The action sequences, while competently shot, lack the punch needed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The script by Matthew B. Kalish and Ross Patterson tries to blend the heist genre with disaster thriller tropes, but the seams show. The dialogue often feels stiff, and the characters’ motivations are sometimes murky. For instance, why does Ray insist on evacuating the building when it’s clear the thieves won’t go quietly? The film never fully justifies his actions beyond a vague sense of duty.

Polish’s direction is serviceable but lacks the flair needed to elevate the material. The film’s tone oscillates between gritty realism and over-the-top action, creating a disjointed viewing experience. Scenes of high-stakes confrontation are undercut by moments of awkward levity, making it hard to invest in the stakes.

Force of Nature is a film that aspires to be something more than a standard heist thriller but ultimately settles for being just that.