WFG RATING: A-

A Hawk Studios Production. Written, directed and lensed by Joe Hawk. Produced by Christopher Fife, Quang Milligan, Martin Monasterski, Joe Hawk, and Mark Wither. 

Stars Stephen Hug, Quang Milligan, Marty Monasterski, Cecca Coleman, David Torres Jr., Bruce Church, and Laurie Grieder. 

A washed-up reporter may become the key to uncovering a conspiracy in this thriller from director Joe Hawk.

News reports have been popping up about the truth involving aliens co-existing with humans. Theorists believe there are aliens and it is all because of a report by Dan Ravenport. Dan was once a renowned journalist who had it all. That is, until he started drinking and things spiraled downward. One night, after he gets into another argument with his wife, Dan comes across something he never imagined. An alien encounter that was set about by the U.S. government.

His discovery led to him becoming a whistleblower, he is taken in by Homeland Security and the President orders him to be executed. However, when a Sergeant in the Army begins to question if the execution is necessary, they decide to help Dan escape, risking it all under Article 92. Soon enough, Dan finds himself under constant threat and things come to a head when those who agree with the order track him down and take down anyone who gets in their way. Will Dan be able to survive and expose the conspiracy or will the government ensure he is killed to keep the truth covered?

From Joe Hawk, who has worked with the likes of indie filmmaker Dennyann Giambrone and others, comes this very intricate action thriller that revolves around conspiracies that have been unanswered for decades as well as depict corruption and attempting to keep the truth covered in the eyes of officials. The film also prays tribute to the lead star, Stephen Hug, who plays our “hero” Dan Ravenport, as sadly he passed away in February of this year. 

In what is Hug’s only lead role, he does a great job in playing Dan Ravenport, a man who once had it all. A fantastic career as a reporter, a loving wife, the American Dream. However, for one reason or another (perhaps the stress of the job), he started drinking and this leads to constant arguing with his wife, played by Laurie Grieder. When he uncovers the conspiracy, he goes on a redemption arc and even goes as far as provide some comic relief during the questioning by Homeland Security Agent Miller, played by Quang Milligan.

What’s quite fun to watch is seeing Dan become both protected and targeted to a point where the viewer will begin to question who can be trusted as Dan even begins to question what exactly is going on and why. This leads to quite a body count as a result of shootouts and even some pretty decent fistacuffs. As if that’s not crazy enough, the twists in the script are quite intricate leading to a finale that is completely out there, but awesome nevertheless. 

Article 92 is a pretty good indie thriller revolving around conspiracies, corruption, and redemption. It is heartbreaking to learn Stephen Hug will not get to see the film’s release, because he gives off a great performance here. 

The film is expected to go to Amazon Prime on June 1. Thanks to Joe Hawk for allowing me to check out the film.