Storyline
Teens in a low income neighborhood are lured into working for a violent and dangerous drug dealer. When a new girl harboring a dark secret arrives in town, their relationship jeopardizes everything.
Cast: Eliza Taylor -
Kat Carter
Pablo Schreiber -
Wyatt Rivers
Lena Headey -
Ellen
Ben Feldman -
Jimmy
Daniel Webber -
Beaver
Philip Harville -
High School Student
Jazzy De Lisser -
Gina
Brigitte Kali Canales -
Rhonda
(as Brigitte Kali)
Grant Harvey -
Troy
Allius Barnes -
Flip
Britain Dalton -
Dean
Nick Alvarez -
Freshman Boy
Brett Rice -
Mr. Carter
Alexandra Manea -
Layla
JoAnna Rhambo -
Mrs. Flynn
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 3 Jan 2017
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Quotes:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 9/10
There are several things that "Thumper" does remarkably well, and
that's saying a lot—in the past decade or so, films (and, indeed,
television shows) on drugs, drug use, and the war on drugs, have
steadily become more staple, enough to establish their own set of
tropes and pitfalls. But "Thumper" does enough to both validate and
subvert expectations, by allowing organic character beats to drive the
plot, and intimate human relationships to steer us into unfamiliar
territory.
The film's leads—Pablo Schreiber as menacing meth cook Wyatt, Eliza
Taylor as shrewd undercover cop Kat—hurl themselves (occasionally,
quite literally) into their complex roles with ferocious commitment.
From the opening scene, Schreiber brings a furious volcanic intensity
into the frame, threatening to explode in a wave of fire and ash.
Taylor adeptly matches his performance with what she's given, brazenly
going toe-to-toe with him—a notable feat, considering he towers an
entire foot over her—and talking back when others fall silent.
But it is Daniel Webber's vulnerable, downplayed Beaver—his arc mirrors
Kat's in a number of ways, one of the reasons they are drawn to one
another—whose agency and actions becomes crucial. And it is Beaver's
relationship with Wyatt—in all its sad shades of fear, respect, anger,
humiliation, and the need for validation—that changes everyone's lives,
for better or worse.
Other gritty performances include Grant Harvey as Wyatt's cousin, Troy,
who brings to mind a mild, not-so-far-gone Sick Boy, Jazzy De Lisser's
hard-boiled addict Gina, and Lena Headey's overbearing, sneering Ellen.
It goes without saying that "Thumper" owes much of its praise to its
cast—although there is noticeable unevenness with the writing,
particularly for the female roles.
Despite that unevenness, by the conclusion of the film, we are left
with Kat, forced by her ordeal to take a hard look at who she is, and
how what she has done has changed her. For a film that initially gives
the impression of a creeping cynicism bordering on overwhelming
pessimism, Kat's recognition of the drug war for the vicious, violent
cycle it is, and her firm decision to break away from it, speaks
volumes. Taylor's remarkable performance confirms her ability to bring
to life characters with evolving moralities—I hope she continues to
explore similarly challenging roles in other independent efforts, which
may wisely recognize, and make the most of, her talent.
The film's dedication to naturalism makes apparent director-writer
Jordan Ross's roots in documentary filmmaking, with the entire film
shot with a hand-held camera, setting the film's uncompromising tone.
Effective films often affect emotionally and physically, and "Thumper"
is one such film, evoking an undeniably visceral reaction, even on my
second (and frankly, far more critical) viewing. It doesn't matter if
you suspect, through the film's occasional familiar beats, or muted
foreshadowing—or certainly know, as I did that second time—what comes
next; how the film takes you there will leave you momentarily
breathless, at times, shaken, and by the end, entirely struck.
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