Rock

NOW ON VOD! Writer-director Craig E. Thomas’s neo-noir thriller Rock asks if it is possible for you to ever escape your past, or are you doomed to repeat it? Rock (Chris Savage) is an ex-con who, in a moment of clarity in prison, realizes that his life is worth living and that it’s time to confront his past and move on. The one thing Rock has been looking forward to as a free man is reuniting with his love, Sophia (Leli Hernandez), as they both dream of starting a new life together.

The problem is that Sophia’s gang leader father, Rey (Wilson Ramirez), has different other plans for Rock. Rey has decided to expand his gang’s territory, and because of Rock’s tough exterior and street smarts, only Rock can make that happen—much to the dismay of Rey’s other capos. So, any idea of the two leaving the gang is out of the question.

Despite the return of Sophia’s drug-addicted brother, Hector (Noel Gugliemi), and his frustrated best friend and crime partner, Q (Darris Love), Rock is more determined than ever to pay off his debt to Rey and escape to a better life. Yet, Rey has no intention of releasing Rock, and as Rey’s drug business expands, Rock finds himself sinking deeper into his old life and his future, either in prison or the grave.

“…Rock is more determined than ever to pay off his debt to Rey and escape to a better life.”

Rock is a neo-noir tale in almost every sense, though Sophia is hardly a femme fatale. Our protagonist wants to escape his criminal past with his love, but that road to freedom is littered with countless roadblocks to the point Rock’s vision of freedom slowly fades away. From a gangster standpoint, Rock is good at what he does and makes a lot of money for Rey. Throughout the film, he struggles to avoid losing himself again to his life of crime.

Thomas refuses to let up on the pressure on his lead as Rock struggles between right and wrong, works to impress his ruthless girlfriend’s father, and searches desperately for even a shred of redemption. Yet, the evil Rey dashes every moment of hope. With a solid story to tell, the filmmaker makes the most of limited resources to bring Rock’s story to life. The film’s abundant violence, sex, and drug use enable director Thomas to build an incredibly dark and gritty world. In a true indie spirit, Rock takes what little resources it has and turns it into a pull-no-punches thriller in the end. Much of this is due to its cast’s strong performances, especially Chris Savage. As Rock, Savage gives us a tough and sympathetic character.

Rock is a gripping noir thriller that delves deep into the struggle between hope and inevitability. Chris Savage turns in a standout performance as the troubled Rock. Craig E. Thomas masterfully crafts a dark, gritty world where the shadows of the past overshadow every glimmer of redemption.