Force of Nature (2020)
Director: Michael Polish
Writers: Cory Miller
Genre: Action, Thriller, Adventure
Plot Summary:
Force of Nature is a high-stakes action thriller set against the backdrop of a powerful hurricane threatening a small town. The story follows Detective Troy (played by Emile Hirsch), who, along with his partner, is assigned to evacuate residents from a high-rise apartment building ahead of the approaching storm. As the hurricane rages, the detective finds himself entangled in a dangerous heist that pits him against a group of ruthless criminals.
The film begins with a sense of urgency as the storm’s impending arrival forces the city to prepare for the worst. Troy and his partner are tasked with ensuring that the residents of the building evacuate, but their plans are complicated when they encounter **Ray (played by Mel Gibson), a retired cop who is determined to stay behind. Ray is holed up in his apartment, refusing to leave even though the storm is quickly approaching. His stubbornness adds tension to the situation, but it is soon revealed that Ray is not simply a grumpy old man trying to defy the odds.
While the storm unleashes its fury outside, a more sinister plot unfolds inside the building. A gang of armed thieves, led by a ruthless criminal mastermind, has taken refuge in the same building. The gang plans to steal millions of dollars worth of valuables that are stored within a safe, hidden deep inside the building’s security system. They intend to use the storm as a cover to carry out their heist, but things quickly spiral out of control when their plan is interrupted by Detective Troy and the reluctant Ray.
As the storm intensifies, the characters find themselves trapped in the building, with the hurricane raging outside and the criminals closing in on their target. Troy, Ray, and the remaining tenants must use their wits and resourcefulness to survive the storm and fight back against the increasingly violent criminals. Ray’s hidden skills as a former cop come into play as he partners with Troy, leading to a tense showdown between the protagonists and the criminals, all while the hurricane bears down on them with no signs of letting up.
The film combines survival thriller elements with heist action, balancing the tension of the storm with the high-octane action of the criminal confrontation. Force of Nature explores themes of survival, honor, and redemption, especially through the character of Ray, whose past as a former cop allows him to confront the situation head-on. The storm becomes a metaphor for the chaos that ensues inside the building, where loyalties are tested, and every decision could mean life or death.
The action scenes are tense and visceral, making use of the storm’s destructive power to heighten the stakes. As the hurricane wreaks havoc on the building’s structure, the characters must not only navigate the dangers posed by the storm but also confront the increasingly violent criminals, culminating in a final confrontation that tests their endurance and resolve.
Force of Nature draws inspiration from disaster movies and heist thrillers, bringing together intense action and suspense. With Mel Gibson playing the seasoned, tough Ray, the film also taps into the nostalgia of classic action films, while bringing a modern twist with the hurricane as both a literal and figurative force of nature that shapes the fate of the characters.