Kill Chain (2019)

Directed by: Ken Sanzel | 91 minutes | action, thriller | Actors: Nicolas Cage, Ryan Kwanten, Alimi Ballard, Anabelle Acosta, Enrico Colantoni, Angie Cepeda, Jon Mack, Eddie Martinez, Pedro Calvo, Luna Baxter, Sara Elizabeth Avila, Yusuf Tangarife, Hector Alexander Gomez, Jhon Bedoya

Nicholas Cage. This actor has almost become a genre in its own right. Films in which this man plays the lead role can almost always be called maniacal over-the-top productions that rely heavily on overacting. The climax of these films revolves around a strange Cage-esque outburst in which the eccentric American goes wild in an inimitable way. Exactly what his fans hope for! Unfortunately for them, the sacred fire has nearly burned out, and Cage reverts to mannerisms and tricks that have since been replaced. ‘Kill Chain’ is the perfect example of this…

In ‘Kill Chain’, Cage plays a hotel owner who receives a visit from a special lady. She would like to rent a room. No problem, of course, but it soon becomes apparent that the woman is on the run. Gunmen are looking for her. The hotel owner decides to help the lady and his past comes in handy.

Well. Cage plays a bad ass. A dangerous and tough type. The fact that this middle-aged hairpiece-wearing actor doesn’t look very menacing doesn’t help him portray his role well. With his languid, somewhat goofy appearance, Cage never comes across as tough. What remains is another grim rendition of an actor who is apparently far past his sell-by date. Apparently, because the point is that Cage CAN act. The problem is, he doesn’t WANT it. Opposite beautiful, layered performances in films like ‘Joe’ and ‘Mandy’ are dozens of goofs like this ‘Kill Chain’.

Cage seems to accept any script. What inspired him – besides the promised money – to act in this downright muddled thriller is puzzling. Director Ken Sanzel has created a disjointed, chaotic film. The narrative structure is unclear and he also falls short in the action scenes. The violence is portrayed with a swishing camera, so that you can never really see what is happening. Undoubtedly this has a budgetary reason, but it does not increase the viewing pleasure.

Not only Cage makes a tired, disinterested impression. The rest of the cast lacks experience and work ethic to make anything of their role. Only inveterate Cage fans will be able to enjoy this ‘Kill Chain’.