Rent Dead Shot (2023)

Gripping Thriller - Dead Shot review by GI

A revenge thriller set during the 'Troubles' and a gritty recreation of a grimy 70s London where most of the film is set. It begins, however, in Northern Ireland where IRA terrorist Michael (Colin Morgan) is ambushed by the British army while taking his heavily pregnant wife to hospital. She is killed in a moment of poor judgement by soldier Henry and Michael escapes. Facing a possible murder charge Henry agrees to join a shady unit run by Holland (Mark Strong) whose team are engaged in hunting IRA operatives in London. Both sides are fighting a dirty war where the issues of right/wrong and lawful/unlawful are totally blurred. Michael makes his way to London to join a bomb team but he has plans for revenge. This is a solidly made, well directed thriller that some may find a hard watch especially as there's no good guy to root for as everyone is equally as bad. In many ways this gives the film more strength as it tries to evoke the essence of the ruthlessness employed by both sides. Felicity Jones co-stars. It's a gripping film and well worth checking out.