WFG RATING: A-

Roadside Flix presents a Sparke Films production. Directed and edited by Luke Sparke. Produced by Carly Imrie and Carmel Imrie. Written by Tom Evans. Cinematography by Ross W. Clarkson. 

Stars Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa, Sam Neill, Liam McIntyre, Zac Garred, Marcus Johnson, and Rachel Griffiths. 

A driver’s moral compass begins to get the best of him in this latest thriller from the director of Occupation.

Working for a local mobster, a getaway driver has been originally tasked to help a group of robbers grab money from a big shot with connections. However, the driver soon learns plans have changed. He must pick up someone who is new to the game and bring him to the boss’ headquarters in Wyeville. The young man has been accused of stealing some of the payday for his own purposes and must be dealt with by the boss herself.

When the passenger arrives, the duo embark on a road trip and come across a few obstacles along the way. From stopping at a bar, where they are confronted by raging rednecks to a near ambush by two motorcycle riding thugs, the duo soon begin to bond. However, that bond becomes threatened once the job is to be completed. What will happen when they reach Wyeville?

In 2017, Australian director Luke Sparke wowed audiences with his take on the alien invasion film with Occupation, which can be described as an amped up small-town Independence Day (and quite frankly, I like this one as much as ID) and there was a sequel in Occupation: Rainfall (which features Ken Jeong). Now tackling the neo noir genre, Sparke once again surprises the viewer as this is one that keeps you guessing. 

Barry Pepper takes charge as the unnamed “Driver” (a trend that has been going on today with films like The Driver and Roadkill) and he finds himself from the beginning already in a situation where a simple robbery soon becomes more complicated than expected for a few reasons. His moral compass is also questioned from the beginning because he and the passenger, played by an excellent Jamie Costa, have something in common in that they both have kids and need the “job” to provide for them. 

There are also some great performances from two local icons in Sam Neill and Rachel Griffiths. Neill plays Frank, a big shot business owner who is the victim of the robbery that soon begins a shockwave of events while Griffiths’ voice is heard as Veronica, the local boss who informs the Driver of his job. We soon learn throughout the film there are some twists and turns that push complications into all sides of the equation before a shocking twist in the final act reveals everything and ends up jaw-dropping. In other words, it’s a slow burn that is worth waiting for. 

Bring Him to Me is an excellent slow-burn neo noir that churns out some great performances from leads Barry Pepper and Jamie Costa while Sam Neill and Rachel Griffiths make the most of their antagonistic roles. 

The film will be released in select theaters and Digital today (February 23)