Filmmaker Eamon O’Rourke taps into a different female empowerment angle for her directorial debut in Asking for It from Saban films. In this edgy thriller, Vanessa Hudgens, Kiersey Clemons, and Alexandra Shipp lead a no-mercy all-femme gang. After a small-town waitress (Clemons) is sexually assaulted on a date, she meets Regina (Shipp) and Beatrice (Hudgens) and is recruited into their vigilante group of badass women.
Together they strive to take down a society overpowered by corrupt men and seek the ultimate revenge while getting their version of justice.
The group leader is Sal, and their primary foe is Mark Vanderhill (Ezra Miller), the founder of the “Men First Movement.” The movement is about to hold a major rally in a town protected by corrupt Sheriff Morrill (David Patrick Kelly), inspiring the commune in a war against a powerful enemy.
Asking for It is a different kind of film because it’s not sure how to struggle with the narrative. I enjoyed the acting in the movie, notably Ezra Miller, who makes a wonderful bad guy. The ladies in the film have strong chemistry that is worthy of mention. At its core, Asking for It is an allegory on feminism, which, in that regard, the film succeeds.
Final Grade: C
I’ll admit that I wasn’t familiar with Joko Anwar’s previous work before watching “Ghost in the Cell.” However, I’m always open to an action flick or horror movie, so the combination of prison drama, supernatural horror, and dark comedy caught my attention.
Emerging writer-director Bassam Tariq teams up with two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali for his latest feature, “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” from Orion Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios. Ali portrays Latif, a devoutly religious hitman who struggles to balance work, faith, and fatherhood. Following the death of his wife, he becomes the sole protector and provider for his newborn daughter, Fathia (Adia), and son, Qadir (Jahleel Kamara).
Before he reprises his Academy Award-winning role as Cliff Booth later this year, Brad Pitt reunites with his “Fury” director, David Ayer, for the friendship tale “Heart of the Beast” from Paramount Pictures.