''Adverse'' is a 2020 American

crime thriller film Crime film is a film belonging to the crime fiction genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and fiction. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine with many other genres, such as drama or gangster film, but al ...

written and directed by Brian Metcalf and starring Thomas Nicholas,

Lou Diamond Phillips Louis Diamond Phillips (né Upchurch; born February 17, 1962) is an American actor, director, and writer. His breakthrough came when he starred as Ritchie Valens in the biographical drama film '' La Bamba'' (1987). For his performance as Angel ...

Sean Astin Sean Patrick Astin (; born February 25, 1971) is an American actor. His acting roles include Mikey Walsh in '' The Goonies'' (1985), Billy Tepper in '' Toy Soldiers'' (1991), Dave Morgan in '' Encino Man'' (1992), Daniel Ruettiger in '' Rudy'' ...

, Kelly Arjen,

Penelope Ann Miller Penelope Ann Miller (born Penelope Andrea Miller; January 13, 1964), sometimes credited as Penelope Miller, is an American actress. She began her career on Broadway in the original run of '' Biloxi Blues'' (1985–1986), later appearing in the ...

, and

Mickey Rourke Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke Jr. ( ; born September 16, 1952) is an American actor and former professional Boxing, boxer who has appeared primarily as a leading actor, leading man in drama, action, and thriller films. In a Mickey Rourke filmogra ...

. It premiered at the

Fantasporto Fantasporto International Film Festival (Portuguese: Festival Internacional de Cinema do Porto) is an international genre film festival, annually organized since 1981 in Porto, Portugal. Screening and awarding fantasy, sci-fi and horror orient ...

Film Festival, Portugal's largest film festival, on February 28, 2020. The film earned Metcalf, a Platinum Remi Award, at the

WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival The WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, founded in 1968, is an annual film festival held annually in April in Houston, Texas. Notable festival alumni include John Lee Hancock, who wrote and directed the Oscar-winning film '' The Blind S ...

. The film was released theatrically in the United States on February 12, 2021, by

Lionsgate Lions Gate, Lion Gate or similar terms may refer to: Gates *Lion Gate at Mycenae in Greece *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the ancient Hittite city of Hattusa, now in Turkey *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the gardens of Hampton Court Pala ...

Premise

A rideshare driver discovers that his sister is in debt to a dangerous crime syndicate.

Cast

* Thomas Nicholas as Ethan *

as Dr. Cruz *

as Frankie * Kelly Arjen as Mia *

as Nicole *

as Kaden *

Jake T. Austin Jake Toranzo Austin Szymanski (born December 3, 1994), known professionally as Jake T. Austin, is an American actor. Beginning his career as a child actor at the age of seven, Austin is best known for his role as Max Russo on the Disney Channel ...

as Lars * Matt Ryan as Jake * Andrew Keegan as Jan * Aaron Schwartz as Detective Mitchell *

Charlene Amoia Charlene M. Amoia is an American actress. She is best known for her recurring role as Wendy the Waitress in the sitcom ''How I Met Your Mother''. Her film credits include ''American Reunion'' (2012), ''Authors Anonymous'' (2014), ''Sniper: Speci ...

as Mary *

Jesse Garcia Jesse García (born December 14, 1982) is an American actor. He is known for his roles in ''Quinceañera'' and '' Flamin' Hot'' for which he won Imagen Awards Best Actor. Career Garcia starred in the award-winning film ''Quinceañera'', writt ...

as Detective Ranie * Brian Metcalf as Dante

Production

Principal photography began in Los Angeles in October 2018. On January 17, 2019, it was confirmed that filming had been completed.

Release

''Adverse'' had its world premiere at FantasPorto 2020, a film festival held in Oporto, Portugal, in February 2020. The film was theatrically released in the United States on February 12, 2021, by Lionsgate.

Critical reception

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

reported that 75% of a total of 12 critics gave the film a positive review and 81% out of more than 250 viewers rated the film 3,5 stars or higher.

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

Joe Leydon Joseph Patrick Michael Leydon (born August 22, 1952) is an American film critic and historian. A critic and correspondent for '' Variety'' since 1990, he is the author of ''Joe Leydon's Guide to Essential Movies You Must See'' (Michael Wiese Pro ...

reviewed the film calling it a "modestly diverting thriller". Vegas Film Critic, Jeff Howard, called it “an L.A. gritty crime story with lots of suspense and twists until the very end. So it’s very cool!” MediaMikes’ Mike Gencarelli said, “Overall if you are looking for a 90 minute rollercoaster ride with a great cast throughout, I would definitely recommend watching Adverse.” Joao Pinto of Portal Cinema said that the film “delivers what it promises, that is, a thriller with action and drama” and also gave it 3.5 stars.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 8597594 2020 films 2020 crime thriller films 2020 crime drama films American crime drama films American crime thriller films American neo-noir films Films shot in Los Angeles 2020s English-language films 2020s American films English-language crime drama films English-language crime thriller films