WFG RATING: A-

Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment presents Green Dog Films production in association with Reigning Entertainment and Agora Films. Edited and directed by Michael S. Ojeda. Produced by Oksana Orlan, Michael S. Ojeda, Jason Gurvitz, and Alvaro Gutierrez. Written by Michael S. Ojeda and Oksana Orlan. Cinematography by Jim Orr. 

Stars Oksana Orlan, Sebastian Carvajal, Maurice Compte, Luciana Garnica, Jose Conejo Martin, Alanna de la Rossa, Ian Payares, and Nicolas Troya. 

Action has a new name and her name is Oksana Orlan, who shines in the titular role in this thriller from Michael S. Ojeda.

Dominique is an ex-assassin from Ukraine who has relocated to Colombia to start a new life. She still finds trouble at times, but can handle herself quite well. One night at a bar, she meets local police officer Julio and the two hit it off immediately. After a night of passion, Julio introduces her to his family, including his invalid father, pregnant sister Juana and her kids. Dominique is desperately trying to head back to town, but Julio asks to wait until he comes back from an errand.

As she waits, Dominique bonds with Julio’s family. However, Julio has been working with Internal Affairs to expose top brass Chief Santiago, who is under investigation for doing jobs for a local drug cartel. When Julio’s cover is blown, he is viciously killed by Santiago and the police force. When they confront his family over a laptop that has the evidence to stop Santiago, Dominique comes to the rescue and soon learns that she must help Julio’s family gain the confidence necessary to fight back and escape before it’s too late. 

It is time to meet a new face of action and that is Oksana Orlan. The actress and model may be known for a 2019 thriller where she was the titular Russian Bride opposite Corbin Bernsen. However, this is going to be the film that puts her name in the realm of action. She not only has the looks, but the skills to match. Trained in martial arts, she is a protege of the legendary James Lew and Billy Smith, who gave her the necessary stunt training for the film as she does most of her own stunts here. 

Orlan is great to watch as someone who seems like a loner, but through a series of flashbacks, we get her backstory as to why her character is nicknamed “the phoenix” as she unleashes a lot of firepower against her loved ones. She even serves as a mentor to Julio’s teen niece Abril, played by Alanna de la Rossa, helping her gain confidence and becomes a reliable ally in one specific action scene in which Dominique wipes out half the corrupt force with a machine gun with Abril turning the lights on and off as a distraction. 

Maurice Compte is vicious and ruthless as Santiago, the dirty chief of police working for a local drug cartel. He goes and tortures his victims before unleashing death upon them. His right ahnd man is the brutish Officer Chago, played by a great Jose Conejo Martin. There are times when Julio’s father, despite being in a wheelchair, gets in on the action as he also looks to avenge his son by helping Dominique when necessary. The finale takes quite a major twist that’s actually unexpected, but at the same time leaves room for a sequel, which I would be all in for.

Dominique is a really good action thriller with Oksana Orlan shining as a new face of action in the titular role. Here’s to hoping we get a sequel and more action flicks with Orlan in them.

The film will be released in theaters, On Demand, and Digital on October 11.