Jolt

Lindy (Kate Beckinsale) has suffered with severe anger issues all her life. Her temper is so bad, in fact, that she has been isolated from society and experimented on by scientists as they search for effective treatment for her condition. Years later, the cure has been discovered to be high voltage electric shocks that she administers to herself whenever she has a violent urge. Aside from some relapses, the therapy seems to be working. That is until the man she just started dating (Jai Courtney) is found dead. Devastated, she uses her anger to track down her boyfriend’s killer.

If viewers are somehow able to get past this bonkers premise, then it’s possible that this trashy action flick may offer a touch of entertainment. However, finding amusement in this John Wick rip-off is a tall order for most audiences.

The biggest stumbling point for Jolt (directed by Tanya Wexler and penned by first-time writer Scott Wascha) is that it comes across as incredibly insincere. The heroine’s entire crusade is founded upon a relationship that’s only awarded several minutes of screen time. While the character’s do have a likable awkward chemistry together, it would be difficult to tell that their frequent innuendos mean much to the protagonist if she – and subsequently viewers – wasn’t told so by her therapist (Stanley Tucci). Unlike many gripping films, such as Taken and Nobody, where the leads’ emotional plights are laid bare from the start, Lindy is very much a closed book. This makes it near impossible for viewers to become invested in her quest for vengeance.

The same lack of consideration is also given to this flick’s feminist angle and action sequences. In terms of egalitarian engagement, all this script has to offer are a handful of quips about men being creepy and some painfully unsubtle music choices. When it comes to the fight sequences, the choreography simply doesn’t have the grit or flare to compete with its contemporaries. This picture wants to stand out, but it’s not willing to put in the work to get there. The only highlight of this piece is the performance from Beckinsale, whose wit at least lends some fun to the festivities.

Jolt is another disposable action movie that unfortunately fails to generate ample entertainment from its ridiculous premise. A cliff-hanger ending suggests there might be more to come from Lindy. Let’s just hope her next adventure is better.

Andrew Murray

Jolt is released on Amazon Prime Video on 23^rd July 2021.

Watch the trailer for Jolt here: