Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Nimrod Antal, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate comes one man’s fight for his family when facing RETRIBUTION.

Matt Turner (Liam Neeson) is a busy business man who has been spending more time on his phone than with his family. One morning, wife Heather (Embeth Davidtz) insists that Matt take kids Emily (Lilly Aspell) and Zach (Will Champion) to school. It is chaos to get in the car, especially when son Zach is having parental issues.

Once on the move, Matt tries to calm down a jittery client who wants to back out of a deal and let’s partner Anders (Matthew Modine) know all is well. In the meantime, a cell phone is going off in the car and no one seems to know whose it is. That’s when Matt discovers there is a bomb in his car and he is not allowed to get out without it exploding.

Being led around the city by a voice he doesn’t recognize, the kids are getting nervous about what is happening. Trying to get answers, two things are clear – the caller wants a lot of money and is not going to let Matt or the kids out of the car until he gets what he wants. In the meantime, the police are now on the alert but they don’t have the whole story.

Then again, neither does Matt.

Neeson as Matt is back to doing what he does best, one a mission to protect the ones he cares about. This time he is doing it from behind the wheel trying to solve who is responsible and why he and his family are chosen to be put in danger. Trying to explain himself seems to fall on deaf ears so Neeson takes care of it all by himself.

Aspell as Emily in sitting in the backseat learning what is happening and trying to remain calm. That’s pretty stellar for a young actress in the middle of chaos and explosions. Champion as Zach played his part but, once again, a smart mouthed teenager and that I can’t get behind. I get that his character is feeling misunderstood but I’d rather throw Zach out of the moving car and take my chances than listen to his garbage.

Modine as Anders is in business with Matt and they are working hard to make is a success. He also becomes caught up in whatever the mysterious caller is up too. Nice to see Mariner Modine on screen again even if in brief moments.

Other cast include Arian Moayed as Sylvain, Emily Kusche as Mila, Luca Markus as Kat, Bernahrd Pieck as Captain Dregger, Pils Groger as Luc Etienne and Noma Dumezweni as Angela Brickman.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

RETRIBUTION is an action ride of mystery until the very end. Neeson takes us on the slow ride through each stop bringing the clues closer and closer as the character of Matt is puzzled about why its all happening. With his kids in the car, it brings another level of intensity because, lets be honest, when it comes to our kids, we probably would make the same choices as Matt Turner.

Even though the situation is based on being in a car and only a cell phone call for dialogue, it is the tension and watching the character Matt Turner try to get one step ahead. It’s hard to think what to do next when stuff if exploding all around and the cops are chasing.

Those who are thrilled with Neeson films are not going to be disappointed. He has made himself into a late career action hero and most of us are on board with it. Director Antal has clearly made himself seen and heard in Hollywood being a part of one of my favorites from Apple TV+ series Servant and two episodes from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. He has also been a part of the films VACANCY, ARMORED and PREDATORS.

So, stay in your seat at all times because standing up could get you killed.

In the end – just don’t stop!

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