Revenge thrillers are often at their best when they are concise and impactful. Unfortunately, this is not the case with “God Is a Bullet,” the latest film from writer-director Nick Cassavetes. Clocking in at a bloated 155 minutes, the film struggles to maintain momentum and the excessive violence detracts from its gritty realism. Despite a talented cast who commit fully to their roles, the film feels more like an overindulgent homage to 80s-era action films rather than a thought-provoking exploration of revenge.
The story revolves around detective Bob Hightower (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), whose ex-wife and her new husband are brutally murdered by a cult. In an intense scene that rivals the brutality of “Death Wish,” the cult also kidnaps Hightower’s teenage daughter. Hindered by his department supervisor John Lee (Paul Johansson), Hightower finds an unlikely ally in reformed junkie Case (Maika Monroe), a former member of the cult. Together, they infiltrate the cult and go to great lengths to find Hightower’s daughter.
Hightower and Case make for an unconventional team as they navigate the violent underbelly of the cult. Case, with her hardened demeanor, delivers philosophical lines that would be more at home in a bad movie, proclaiming that a bullet is the ultimate life form and “God, coyote.” Meanwhile, Hightower proves himself to be equally tough, miraculously surviving a stab wound, rattlesnake bite, and being set on fire. The excessive violence and unrealistic survival skills of the characters feel more like desperate attempts to shock the audience rather than authentic storytelling.
The dialogue in “God Is a Bullet” leaves much to be desired. The predictable lines and convoluted subplots, such as John Lee’s adulterous wife, add unnecessary length to an already lengthy film. While the committed performances of the cast and the gritty desert locations do provide some effective moments, the overall nihilistic tone and gratuitous violence leave the film feeling empty and devoid of substance.
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The film’s production companies include Patriot Pictures and XYZ Films, with Wayward Entertainment handling distribution. The cast features Maika Monroe, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Karl Glusman, January Jones, Paul Johansson, David Thornton, Jamie Foxx, and Ethan Suplee. Nick Cassavetes serves as both director and screenwriter, while Michael Mendelsohn and Donald V. Allen produce. The executive producers include Natalie Perrotta, Paul Johansson, Sidney Kimmel, Jamie Foxx, Chuck Pacheco, Jim Steele, and Santiago Garcia Galvan. Cinematography is by Kenji Katori, with production design by Claudio “Pache” Contreras and editing by Bella Erikson. The score is composed by Aaron Zigman, and the costume design is by Erika Del Toro. Matthew Barry handles casting.
In conclusion, “God Is a Bullet” falls short of its potential. Despite the committed performances and gritty atmosphere, the excessive violence and lackluster dialogue detract from the film’s overall impact. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore deeper themes of revenge and redemption. While fans of extreme violence may find some enjoyment in the film, those seeking a more thought-provoking revenge thriller may be disappointed.
