‘There’s no turning back.’
End of the Road is a 2022 American action thriller in which a mother has to save her family from a mysterious killer.
Directed by Millicent Shelton (Dance Like We Do; Ride) from a screenplay written by Christopher J. Moore and David Loughery, based on a story by Christopher J. Moore. Produced by Mark Burg, Brandon Edmonds, Dylan Edmonds, Tracey E. Edmonds, Brad Kaplan and Ty Swaggalee Scott.
The movie stars Queen Latifah, Beau Bridges, Ludacris aka Chris Bridges, Frances Lee McCain, Jesse Luken, Tabatha Shaun, Keith Jardine, Phuong Kubacki, Travis Hammer, Micah McNeil, Shaun Dixon, Amie MacKenzie, Efrain Villa and Mychala Lee.
Blurb:
“In this high-octane action thriller, a cross-country road trip becomes a highway to hell for Brenda (Queen Latifah), her two kids and her brother Reggie (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges). After witnessing a brutal murder, the family finds themselves in the crosshairs of a mysterious killer. Now alone in the New Mexico desert and cut off from any help, Brenda is pulled into a deadly fight to keep her family alive…
Reviews:
” …as the movie progresses further, it grows increasingly formulaic, particularly if you are familiar with this kind of genre […] It’s just too bad Shelton lacks the sustainable narrative and technical know-how to make End of the Road an above-average effort. The subsequent action sequences are nothing more than run-of-the-mill set pieces.” 2.5 out of 5, Casey’s Movie Mania
“When End of the Road gives up trying to be a mushy drama about loss, a dysfunctional family trying to reconnect, and the ethics of taking this blood money to start a new life, it swerves into a much-needed dose of demented insanity that is more fitting alongside the narrative’s ridiculousness and predictability. There are still several blindingly moronic character decisions and an abandonment of all logic […] but some trashy and bonkers joy within.” Two stars out of five, Flickering Myth
“The action is clumsy. The writing leans on tropes. The dramatic scenes overestimate the artistic range of a charming rapper-turned-actor like Bridges. And director Millicent Shelton makes some curious stylistic decisions along the way, whether it’s amethyst lighting or montages that have the feel of a R&B music video.” 2 out of 5, The Guardian
“Sure, there’s also some humor and towards the end, there are even a few scenes that feel straight out of a horror comedy. For the most part, though, thriller is the core plot driver. The small cast delivers some wonderful portrays of likable and recognizable characters. Also, while the plot is pretty predictable, it’s precisely the kind of movie I like to kick back with on a Friday night.” 3 out of 5, Heaven of Horror
“I don’t think Queen Latifah gets enough credit for being as good an actress as she is. She doesn’t just kick @ss and take names in the movie, but she acts her butt off in it. I loved her in this movie and Ludacris played the perfect sidekick to her with a side of comedy relief. Overall, End of the Road is a very good action-thriller that will not disappoint you.” Hidden Remote
“Overall, End of the Road is a lacklustre action thriller. It has many weak moments. The movie would’ve worked better if it was a dark comedy thriller or had a more serious tone and a solid script. Of the supporting characters, only the kids do a fine job.” 2 out of 5, Leisurebyte
” …the family has to be chased by and fight the bad guys in familiar setups that are primarily notable—and not at all in a good way—for how Shelton lights everything—from farmhouses to the desert at night—in an unnatural neon glow. It looks and feels fake, but that’s at least consistent with the plotting of End of the Road, which becomes more unconvincing with every leg of the journey.” 1.5 out of 4, Mark Reviews Movies
“My biggest gripe with End of the Road is the improbable situations our characters find themselves in, some of which were their faults. Usually, I can suspend my disbelief, but there are too many moments in the film where all I could do was shake my hand at the incompetence. Now, on the one hand, if the characters didn’t make the mistakes, we may not have a movie. However, while David Loughery hasn’t necessarily penned Oscar-worthy material in the past, usually, his output isn’t this weak.” Grade: D+ Reviews and Dunn
“The film moves along nicely but exhibits little flair for white-knuckle suspense or visceral action. And the warm visual palette that is at first appealing eventually becomes a nonsensical decision to light nocturnal desert settings in gaudy neon hues, as if for a rave. The routine bombast of Craig DeLeon’s score, and various preexisting pop tracks utilized, further underline an overall lack of instinct for thriller atmospherics.” Variety
Release date:
End of the Road is streaming exclusively on Netflix from September 9, 2022 (click for same-day releases).
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