Dirty Angels
Directed by Martin Campbell
Written by Alissa Sullivan Haggis, Jonas McCord
Starring Eva Green, Maria Bakalova, Ruby Rose, Jojo T. Gibbs
Rated R
Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes
In select theaters and on demand December 13

by Jasmine Edwards, Staff Writer

"So . . . we’re taking the base with some Molotov cocktails and a rifle from World War One?"

Dirty Angels marks the second collaboration between director Martin Campbell and actress Eva Green, who previously delivered an unforgettable performance as Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale (2006). Here, Green gives a less glamorous but equally commanding performance as Jake, an American soldier with a haunted past, skillfully portraying a woman whose pursuit of redemption is propelled by the ghosts of her past.

The film centers on a group of soldiers led by Jake who disguise themselves as medics to embark on a rescue mission only to find themselves caught between ISIS and the Taliban. Along the way, they experience casualties, betrayal, and unexpected friendships. Jake, burdened by her reputation as the type to abandon her unit, is initially the source of much tension. But as the plot unfolds, we learn the truth behind her previous actions which drives her determination to succeed in the mission—one that is personal in more ways than one.

The film weaves two parallel storylines: the soldiers’ mission and the plight of young hostages waiting in fear and trepidation over whether their families will be able to pay their ransoms or be rescued. This is made more tense by he US government’s policy against negotiation with terrorists). May Kurtz delivers a compelling performance as Badia, whose determination and vulnerability provide the film with a heightened emotional state as time closes in and she must make her own terrible choice between the survival of her friends and her own freedom.

Despite some over-earnest overacting and a bare bones approach to character development for some supporting characters, Dirty Angels remains a largely entertaining ride. While predictable at times, the film moves quickly enough. The banter between Jake and the unexpected friends she makes along the way helps, including her relationship with a pair of brothers who drive the team, as this adds some lightheartedness to an otherwise serious story, culminating in a touching and comfortable conclusion. We grow more comfortable with Jake as she grows more comfortable with the group: while she doesn’t exactly change, the closer she comes to achieving her objective, the more we see that this is her destiny.

Dirty Angels is an engaging action thriller that blends emotional depth with intense combat sequences, showcasing the strength of its lead and her unyielding resolve in the face of impossible odds.