Hard Kill (2020)

Directed by: Matt Eskandari | 98 minutes | action, thriller | Actors: Jesse Metcalfe, Bruce Willis, Lala Kent, Natalie Eva Marie, Texas Battle, Sergio Rizzuto, Swen Temmel, Jon Galanis, Tyler Jon Olson, Leslee Emmett, Nicholas Petron, Abigail Esmena, Jacquie Nguyen

The title ‘Hard Kill’ is almost prophetic, because this film is definitively the death knell for the once flourishing career of Bruce Willis. With ‘Die Hard’, ‘Unbreakable’, ‘Looper’ and ‘The Sixth Sense’, the actor has a few (cult) classics in his pocket that would kill half Hollywood. Unfortunately, Willis has been rather skillfully squandering his legacy in recent years by trotting up in cringe-inducing pulp. Likewise in ‘Hard Kill’ (which deserves the subtitle ‘Easy Money’, so that it directly reveals Willis’ motives). This mushy, uninspired swag shows a tired and worn-out actor who has clearly given up his career. Painful.

In ‘Hard Kill’ Bruce Willis is addressed as Donovan Chalmers (acting cannot be called his portrayal). This billionaire businessman is at the helm of a technology company that has made a rather important invention. This innovation is so interesting that a terrorist network is preying on it. Chalmers enlists the help of security expert Derek Miller (Jesse Metcalfe). When the terror group attacks Chalmers’ company, the billionaire and Miller must work together.

After ‘Trauma Center’ (2019) and ‘Survive The Night’ (2020), ‘Hard Kill’ (2020) is the third collaboration between Willis and film maker Matt Eskandari. The driving factor behind this cooperative is money. Willis wants to cash in and Eskandari hopes to attract less observant movie viewers with the name of the once great Hollywood star. It is clear from the very first minute that delivering quality was not a motivation to can this film. Faded colours, woodsy play and a dull soundtrack make it no secret that little time and love has gone into this release.

‘Hard Kill’ is an uninspired film full of clumsy dialogues, boring camera setups and poorly choreographed fight and shooting scenes. This production relies on the names of Willis – and to a lesser extent – ​​Metcalfe. However, if the big crowd pullers give up and the director in question does not get any further than a hastily cobbled together action film without tension, interesting ideas and intriguing characters, there is little left. ‘Hard Kill’ has kept people busy and put them to work: that’s positive. Unfortunately, that’s also the only encouraging thing to say about this mushy bite.