Out of Death (2021)

Directed by: Mike Burns | 95 minutes | crime, thriller | Actors: Jaime King, Bruce Willis, Lala Kent, Kelly Greyson, Michael Sirow, Megan Leonard, Tyler Jon Olson, Oliver Trevena, Mike Burns, Adam Huel Potter, Kendyll Dombek, Keagan Lasater, Lauren McCord

Some film titles immediately appeal to the imagination. Take ‘Out of Death’ now. What on earth are you supposed to imagine with such a name? Is there a translation error or has the Grim Reaper lost his touch? Questions, questions, questions. You don’t have to watch this movie to find answers. Well, actually you shouldn’t watch this movie anyway, because this movie with Bruce Willis in it isn’t too good. To put it kindly…

In Out of Death, a grieving woman (Jaime King) decides to scatter her dead father’s ashes in the woods. She does that on her own. In the forest she unwittingly witnesses an execution. A policeman shoots an unarmed man in cold blood. She films the scene with her phone. The cop notices this and gives chase. The lady barely manages to escape and enlists the help of her uncle, a retired policeman (Bruce Willis).

This film from director Mike Burns excels at clumsiness. The acting is horribly bad. Willis doesn’t even try a little and falls mercilessly through the basket. He’s only in it for the money and his once signature boyish bravado is gone. Willis was once a cool action hero, but in recent years he’s transformed into a grumpy uncle you don’t hope to see at your birthday party. His listless look and disinterest suck the life out of the whole movie.

King doesn’t make much of it either, but does her best. Maybe she came across better with better counterplay, but that remains guesswork. ‘Out of Death’ is a succession of disappointments. The cast underperforms, the action scenes are laughably bad, there is no build-up of tension and the dialogues are cringe-inducing. It’s high time Willis retires before he continues to smear his career with this shit. Or buy reading glasses, Bruce, so you can read through the script beforehand. Maybe a good tip too. Or is that a killer?