The Bouncer (2024) by Massimiliano Cerchi

Director: Massimiliano Cerchi

Year: 2024

Country: USA

Alternate Titles: N/A

Genre: Action

Plot:

Working as a nightclub bouncer, a man determined to do the right thing spots a woman in distress looking for help to get out of an abusive situation with the Russian gangster crime boss she’s with. After taking offense to his treatment of her and going on the run together, they find themselves on the run from the gangster and his men who are trying to make sure they get her back by any means necessary, forcing him to utilize his skillset to save her.

Review:

Overall, this was a pretty decent indie Action film. The simplistic story, about a man with principles working a job he can and being good at it only to find that it brings him into contact with unsavory characters who force him to go on the run with his girlfriend and try to protect her that it eventually devolves into, work in its favor. With the setup providing an early opportunity to get an idea of who he is, what he’s capable of, and what they’re capable of doing to get the girl back, the setup is simple enough to get the players in order and why he’s going on the run which enables for some solid enough action scenes here. While not the grandiose series of spectacles usually found in the genre, the more grounded sequences show him using his combat skills to save her from the influx of henchmen coming for them as there are some fun fights, shootouts, and even a car chase thrown into the mix.

It’s all enough to be quite likable and enjoyable on that end but still manages to have a few small issues. The whole idea of taking the girl and going on the run together based on the encounter he has with her is somewhat flimsy and unjustified, seeming more like a means to get the film going rather than a genuine need to protect someone in danger with the way it comes off. The whole idea of everything here being rushed through because of the lack of budget shows here that it never manages to hit the highs of the expected in the genre as the whole point of his criminal operation, a key part of why the guy goes on the run in the first place, is glossed over and missing to help give more of an understanding on what’s going on and what he needs to save her. Combined with some less-than-stellar effects, there are some issues here holding it back at times.

Overview: **.5/5

A rather likable if somewhat problematic indie Action effort, this one stays fun when working with the more Action-centered aspects of the setup while being a bit of a letdown with most anything else on display. Those who are fine with the approach or style attempted here will have the most to like here while most others might want to heed caution here.