Cast somewhat against type, Angelina Jolie is one of the boys as part of a rough around the edges gang of firefighters plying their trade in the open forests of Wyoming. She is struggling to recover from a traumatic experience that led to fatalities on her watch. Her misjudgment of that event has sent her on a suicidal spiral. Her disconnection is at the heart of the story.

Into her damaged life comes Connor, who is on the run from dark forces who mean him grievous harm. His forensic accountant father had discovered evil doings and this forces father and son to flee their normal life. The crime the sets this all into motion is never fully explained, nor the origination behind the agents that are pursuing them. This gives the film a vague feeling at its core.

Those Who Wish Me Dead is intended as a character study and relies on the chemistry between Jolie and Little and the visual intensity of the extraordinary threat of forest fires to keep the viewer engaged. It does this well as long as you do not approach it analytically. There are more than a few moments of disbelief but that aside it moves quickly and packs a decent punch in its 100 minute running time.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU

The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” films), Finn Little (“Reckoning”), Aiden Gillen (“Game of Thrones,” “Peaky Blinders”), Medina Senghore (“Happy!”), Tyler Perry (“Vice,” “Gone Girl”), Jake Weber (“Midway,” “Homeland”), and Jon Bernthal (“Ford v Ferrari,” “Wind River”).

Oscar nominee Sheridan (“Hell or High Water,” “Wind River”) directed from a screenplay by Michael Koryta and Charles Leavitt and Sheridan, based on the book by Koryta.

Those Who Wish Me Dead will be released in Australian cineams May 13!
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU