Blindfire

All the characters in Blindfire are rich with detail and complexity. The screenplay affords plenty of opportunities for the talented actors to show their chops. Geraghty makes you smell the cop on his conflicted role and then brings you along for the ride, as he is torn apart by the wreckage he creates in the lives around him. Leal breathes life into Nika, who gets to run the emotional gamut and provides the moral center. Bethany Joy Lenz exudes emotional exhaustion as Will’s estranged wife, constantly trying to pull him out of the self-destruction he is drowning in. Edwina Findley is remarkable as the wife of the slain Andre, with some great speeches throughout asking why this slaughter of black Americans by police keeps happening.

“…rich with detail and complexity.”

Plus, as Andre’s father, the great Charles Robinson gets to pour some very authentic cold water over Will’s plea for redemption. Child actress Genesis White is worth keeping an eye on, as she does a lot of heavy lifting here. We also have Wayne Brady in some of the best stunt casting since Eve Plumb’s cameo in Blue Ruin, where the pop culture recognition adds extra impact to a scene. So when Brady confronts the disgraced cop after the shooting, we can almost feel that he is going to have to choke a big, blue bitch.

Blindfire is a tight thriller, effectively balancing the intense action with truly affecting dramatic moments. The characters are engaging, and the actors do a great job in their roles. Nell’s debut works well and marks the emergence of a talented filmmaker on the rise.