Tainted (2020)

Directed by: Brent Cote | 90 minutes | crime, drama | Actors: Alan Van Sprang, Sara Waisglass, John Rhys-Davies, Shawn Roberts, Neven Pajkic, Aaron Poole, Lina Roessler, AC Peterson, John Ralston, Simon Northwood, Markjan Winnick, Jake Michaels, Julian Lewis, Josh Bainbridge, Joseph Claude Dubois , Jack Sansone

How can you be original when everything has already been done? Just about every idea for an action movie, thriller or blockbuster has already been implemented. In good and bad variants. Director Brent Cote is well aware of this. This filmmaker does not choose to be original. His plan is to tell a chewed-up story in a good, intelligent way. He is taking a big risk with that, because you need guts to watch a film about converted neo-Nazis, angry Russians and a ‘last job’ in this day and age. This is no longer chewed food, but a cowardly tasteless porridge. Yet Cote has come a long way with his approach and that is admirable!

‘Tainted’ revolves around Lance (Alan van Sprang). This man is an ex-con with links to the Russian mafia. In prison he joined neo-Nazis. This was a survival tactic. But membership in the Aryan Brotherhood isn’t a small thing: it’s a lifetime deal, Lance notes. In addition, our anti-hero has to deal with the Russians again. This ‘last job’ – Lance wants to build a good life as a free man after fifteen years in prison – turns out not to be as easy as thought.

‘Tainted’ is a film that relies on atmosphere. Cote opts for a depressing setting. This is a slow tale about a man with a heavy and sordid past. Lance wants to come to terms with himself, but can you do that when you’ve done such horrible things? ‘Tainted’ is more drama than thriller. A good choice, because the cast will keep you captivated. Van Sprang is in good shape.

However, the pace is very slow. Because the tension arc is not tense during the entire playing time, the film breaks down at times. Unfortunate. With a slightly tighter script and a little more action, this film would have had more impact.