WFG RATING: A-

Buffalo 8 Productions presents a Painted Creek production. Directed by Harley Wallen. Produced by Jasper Cole, Jerry Lee Davis, Nolan Rhys Elias, Steve Pearson, Sean Mitchell Toole, Harley Wallen, and Kaiti Wallen. Written by Jerry Lee Davis and Nick Theurer. Cinematography and edited by Nolan Rhys Elias.

Stars Charlene Tilton, Jasper Cole, Richard Tyson, Damien Chinappi, Kaiti Wallen, Michael Emery, Cherish Lee, Anna Elizabeth Thompson, Dominique Alexander, and Harley Wallen.

The latest from WorldFilmGeek Hall of Famer Harley Wallen is heightened by an amazing shocking performance from Dallas star Charlene Tilton.

When recovering drug addict Dustin Powers, a former soldier, enters a rehabilitation facility run by Nanny Lou, he is met with a warm reception and is welcomed among a group of fellow recovering addicts. However, a fellow addict, Rodney, feels like something isn’t right with Nanny Lou and despite many confrontations, he sticks with the program. Things soon become revealed when Dustin’s sister Cindy, a local shop owner, offers jobs to both Dustin and Rodney with the support of Nanny Lou.

Suffering from a decades-old grudge against drug addicts for the death of her father, Nanny Lou uses the rehab center as a front for devious means, including selling and administering “specials”, a synthetic drug she has created in order for the users to continue the program so the government can still fund the program. However, those who speak out against her are met with something devious. When Rodney and Dustin soon suspect something is off, they will have to overcome more than their addictions. 

Harley Wallen is a great indie film director whose works really stretch out the story to get a full understanding of the central characters. For his latest film, written by Nick Theurer and Jerry Lee Davis, we delve into the world of drug addictions and rehabilitation seen through the eyes of various points of view. We see the addicts, those affected, the rehab counselors, and the head of the facility, who proves not to judge the book by the cover. 

For years, many have seen Charlene Tilton as the sweet innocent Lucy Ewing on the show Dallas and one can even go as far as seeing her damsel in distress role in 1992’s Deadly Bet as that innocent type. However, those who have seen what Tilton is capable of against type will definitely be in for a ride as she is amazing and the reason to see this film. She goes a total 180 as Nanny Lou, someone who may look sweet but under the surface, has sinister means as a motive thanks to a grudge created after witnessing the death of her father at the hands of an addict. This is seen in flashbacks in both the opening and a few more times throughout the film.

Jasper Cole is also great as Rodney, one of the outspoken addicts whose life not only affected him but his relationship with his now ex-wife (who comes off as the typical hurt woman out to make him look bad) but his daughter as well (who can see how much her dad is trying to change). Damian Chinappi is good as Dustin, the second protagonist who goes with the program and gets support in the form of his sister Cindy, played by Kaiti Wallen. Cindy sees the potential for both Rodney and Dustin to turn their lives around and helps by hiring them at her craft shop. 

There are some great supporting characters including veteran Richard Tyson as a doctor working at the rehab center and Cherish Lee as Tanya, an addict who loves to sing and has a bit of a crush on Rodney. The third act is where things get very insane (in a good way) and there will be things to make jaws drop.

Final Recovery is a great indie thriller not only because of Harley Wallen’s direction but the reason to see this is Charlene Tilton showing how she can go against type and make it awesome! Definitely one to check out!

The film is coming to Amazon Prime Video and Tubi on May 2.