Shadows on the Wall | The Isolate Thief

The Isolate Thief

dir John Suits
scr Kevin Lefler
prd Shannon Houchins, Vince Jolivette, Margaret Miller, Travis Mann
with Mackenzie Foy, Sean Bean, Odeya Rush, Jack Kesy, Ty Simpkins, Martin Sensmeier, Joe Pantoliano, Bryan Martin, Daphne Houchins
release US 10.Jul.26
26/US 1h35

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Strongly atmospheric, this Civil War-era thriller centres around a strong young woman navigating a perilous world of greedy, violent men. Beautifully shot in wintry locations, the film has a gravelly intensity as a brutal standoff develops over a few very eventful days. Director John Suits and writer Kevin Lefler have created a nicely contained drama with vivid characters who seem to be capable of doing pretty much anything.

Alone at a mountain outpost in the winter of 1865, Ada (Foy) has just buried her father when she discovers gold that was buried by jittery passerby Perry (Pantoliano). Then Union Colonel John (Bean) arrives looking for it. She hosts John and his men, and also rescues injured prostitute Emily (Rush). But hides the stash, knowing that her survival depends on it. Emily figures this out, and concocts a plan. But John is sure that Ada knows where the treasure is hidden, and these men are more than willing to kill her to get it.

Adding some local colour is a grey wolf trying to get to Ada's pigs. It's obvious that John is only disguised as an officer, and Ada is smart enough to pretend not to notice. The dance between these two is messy and often rather nasty, as John and Ada grapple for the upper hand. The others watch with their own nefarious intentions. No one in this film would hesitate at a gruesome murder. And none will escape unscathed.

Foy gives Ada a steely charisma, quietly positioning her as the one in control, even if the men think otherwise. Her refusal to cower is riveting. Bean brings his edgy presence to bear as John begins to respect Ada's feistiness. But he's also merciless. Kesy, Simpkins and Sensmeier are solid as John's shady cohorts, angry, hotheaded and wounded at the thought that a woman might be smarter than them. Rush also holds her own as the unflappable Emily.

This is a clever juxtaposition of female power against literally toxic masculinity. And it's fun to see tough guys caught off guard by resilient women who have skills their thuggish brains can't fathom. The movie is shot in such a vivid way that we feel the cold and smell the gunpowder, among other things. That the grisly climactic shoot-em-up takes place at night is rather annoying, because it's difficult to see what's happening in the deep shadows. But we never doubt how this has to end.

themes, language, violence, sexuality 6.Jul.26

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