END OF THE ROAD (2022)

 

Directed By: Millicent Shelton  Written By: Christopher J. Moore and David Loughery Cinematography: Ed Wu Editor: Tirsa Hackshaw

Cast: Queen Latifah, Beau Bridges, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Mychala Lee, Shaun Dixon, Keith Jardine, Frances Lee McCain, Jesse Luken, Tababtha Shaun 

In this high-octane action thriller, a cross-country road trip becomes a highway to hell for Brenda and her family. Alone in the New Mexico desert, they have to fight for their lives when they become the targets of a mysterious killer.

This film is pretty basic in the way that you know in each instance what is going to happen. Though you go through the motions. While it never gets exciting, at least it never gets boring. 

This is a film back in the day you would have rented from a video store. As it would have a good enough cast for straight-to-video premiere goodies. 

The film's first third at least dramatizes the family dynamic and clearly shows each of their roles and tendencies. Mostly as a result of the tragedy of losing her husband and using any of the savings on trying to keep him alive. Which unfortunately failed.

Dealing with her screwed-up brother to take the trip. Their nerve is tested early on with a couple of rednecks. In which to remind them they aren’t in their old stomping grounds. Once they end up deciding whether or not to take The money they have stumbled across is where the second act begins and the story truly starts.

Again once the big reveal of the villain happens is never quite as shocking as the film wants us to believe. What was more unbelievable is that how much power he apparently has but seems to have only a few people working for him. Yet his name sends shivers down the local's spines even the Neo nazi that Queen Latifah’s character has to fight off. 

At least the film tries to keep the audience on it’s toes. It stays in character while having Queen Latifah running around like an Alfred Hitchcock character. Who keeps having to overcome ever-surmounting challenges. While leaving Lidacris’s character as caretaker to the kids and occasional comic relief. 

The truly shocking part of the movie is how graphically violent the ending is. After most of the film being semi-violent or more threatening

Grade: C-