WILDCAT (2021) Reviews of female-focused kidnap thriller

  

‘Some people cannot be broken’
Wildcat is a 2021 American thriller film about a female reporter who fights back against her Middle Eastern terrorist captors.

Written and directed by Jonathan W. Stokes (Air), the Divide/Conquer–Soapbox Films production stars Georgina Campbell (All My Friends Hate Me; King Arthur: Legend of the Sword), Luke Benward (Living Dead Presents: Fog City; Zombies and Cheerleaders; Girl vs. Monster), Ibrahim Renno (Sicario: Day of the Soldado; Shark Lake) and Mido Hamada (American Sniper; The Situation).

Plot:
An ambitious reporter (Georgina Campbell) stationed in the Middle East is taken captive after a militant group ambushes her convoy. Convinced that the young woman is hiding her true identity, they’ll stop at nothing to extract information crucial to the success of their upcoming terrorist attack.

With time running out, she must find a way to survive and turn the tables on her assailants…

Reviews:
“Wildcat doesn’t really accomplish anything for 80 minutes, and even then, the titular event is mild stuff, with Stokes searching for some level of realism while inadvertently promising a more explosive finale throughout the film. He’s creating a game of mental chess between Khadija and her captors, but he doesn’t generate suspense along the way…” Brian Orndorf

“There is talk, more talk, whispers, more whispers, more talk, talk, careless whispers in the dark, and yes, more talk. The action never arrives, and I honestly want to forget about Wildcat and move on to the next movie. I guess if you like movies that start with W and end in T, then Wildcat could be the movie for you.” Bulletproof Action

“I found Wildcat to be a gripping and tense study of resilience, endurance and resolve. It is directed smartly and carried by the suffocating pressure of its minuscule set and gut-punching performances.” CRP Writes

“The film is competently mounted, and Campbell is an intriguing screen presence, but what, ultimately, is the purpose of this movie? It offers no new geopolitical perspective, nor any creative spin on the escape picture, beyond its initial set-up. Wildcat feels like it should’ve been the short film that was made as a basis for a future-state feature that is more thoroughly developed.” Film Racket

“Wildcat doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel, it simply aims to entertain and possibly even spark a bit of research into journalists such as Lindhout and Addario. Fueled by Georgina Campbell’s captivating performance, Wildcat is a taut drama with a thrilling final act.” The Hollywood Outsider

“The performances from Campbell and Renno are intelligent and resolute in communicating this battle of wits and manipulation, while Campbell also gives a strong sense of Khadija as a determined survivor. Wildcat is undoubtedly a tough film, but through these performances and with Stokes’ attention planted firmly on the psychological sides of this story, it’s an effective one, too.” Mark Reviews Movies

Release date:
Wildcat will be released by Saban Films on April 27th 2021.

Cast and characters:
Georgina Campbell … Khadija Young
Luke Benward … Luke
Ibrahim Renno … Jalal
Mido Hamada … Abu Khalid
Ali Olomi … Saif
Janna Bossier … DI Receptionist
Chido Nwokocha … Medic
Aaron Cavette … Delta Force Operator
Maz Siam … Hamza
Faruk Amireh … Amir
Matt Blundell … Case Officer

Trailer:

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