Ex-cop Isaiah Slade (Nick McCallum) arrives in a small town, searching for the missing daughter of a murdered ranch owner in the movie Find Her. As his investigations continue, coming across a wide range of suspects each with their own motive, it becomes apparent that he has his own hidden agenda for finding the truth.
Actor, writer, director and co-producer McCallum’s thriller is a mysterious, brooding neo-noir which encapsulates many archetypal tropes of the genre. Murderous intrigue, fiery femmes fatales, a world-weary protagonist with a dubious past and a narrative voiceover.
The film’s moody tone is reflected in Evan Zissimopulos’ cinematography, crisply shot and making full use of low sunlight casting long shadows. And although being filmed in the Southern States of Florida and Louisiana, the sharply defined colours of those vast, almost glacial American landscapes help create the sense of a cooler, foreboding atmosphere.
Slade is the embodiment of the stoic, existential male cop with an uncertain history, though his unwavering deadpan demeanour makes it difficult to feel much for the character. Fleshing out his vulnerabilities and emotions might have helped us gain more insight and encouraged a deeper empathy. And, although he is an outsider, there is a distance between him and the community he has entered into that feels a little too detached, a connection which never quite manages to bridge the gap and bring the two closer together.
The main female characters have a little more substance. This is partly down to the script and certainly the performances. Anais Lilit and Rebecca Lines, particularly, bring energy and dynamism to their roles, playing the deceased’s daughter Brandy and her matriarchal, surrogate aunt Tommy, respectively.
Find Her is an intriguing thriller, full of mystery and vengeance, evenly paced and easy to follow, irrespective of its twists and turns. However, its refreshing simplicity, exemplified by the undeviating chronological style of storytelling, could be considered overly plodding or procedural for stricter noir fans requiring more ambiguity and a non-linear narrative structure.
The New Movie from Nick McCallum
Movie title: Find Her
Movie description: When an ex-cop arrives in a small town searching for answers to a murdered ranch owner and his missing daughter, it slowly becomes clear he has his own personal agenda to finding the truth.
Date published: October 1, 2022
Country: United States
Duration: 86 minutes
Director(s): Nick McCallum
Actor(s): Nick McCallum, Stelio Savante, Anais Lilit, Richard Gunn, John James, Garrett Andrew Ahrens, Rebecca Lines, Sydney Bullock, Mary Drew Ahrens.
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Thomas is a musician, writer and film enthusiast with a broad taste in films, from Big Night to The Big Combo. When he isn’t immersed in these activities his passions extend to the kitchen and food.
