Peppermint

Peppermint attempts to blend vigilante justice with emotional stakes but stumbles along the way. While Jennifer Garner delivers a sturdy performance, the film ultimately falls into predictable traps.

A Grieving Mother's Mission

The film follows Riley North (Jennifer Garner), a mother who undergoes a remarkable transformation into a vigilante after witnessing the brutal murder of her husband and daughter. After the corrupt justice system fails to bring the perpetrators to justice, Riley takes matters into her own hands, seeking retribution against the drug cartel responsible for her family's death. The narrative unfolds with Riley strategically targeting those who wronged her, leading to a series of action-packed confrontations. However, the plot often sacrifices depth for action, leaving some emotional beats feeling unearned as it races toward its climax.

Garner Steals the Spotlight

Jennifer Garner carries most of the film with a committed performance as Riley North, showcasing her evolution from a grieving mother to a fierce avenger. However, other characters feel lackluster, with John Gallagher Jr. and John Ortiz’s roles as detectives serving more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out figures. Their motivations and backstories are skimmed over, leaving them underutilized in favor of Riley's singular focus. There are moments where more character development could have enriched the story, but they are overshadowed by the film's emphasis on action rather than nuance.

Action Over Atmosphere

Director Pierre Morel employs a competent, straightforward approach, filling the screen with action sequences that are competent but not groundbreaking. The pacing is brisk, sometimes to a fault, leaving little room for atmospheric build-up. The cinematography captures the gritty aspects of Riley’s world, yet fails to elevate the emotional weight of her journey. Some scenes feel too reliant on standard thriller tropes, which detracts from the originality. The editing, while efficient, sometimes rushes the narrative, leaving viewers with whiplash as the film moves from one confrontation to another.

Punchy but Lacking Depth

Watching Peppermint oscillates between engaging and frustrating. The initial emotional investment in Riley’s loss is palpable, but as the film progresses, it often prioritizes action over deeper explorations of grief and vengeance. There are moments where the film tries to evoke sympathy, particularly in flashbacks of Riley’s life before tragedy struck, but these feel fleeting and somewhat shoehorned. The film leans heavily on its action sequences, which, while entertaining, can detract from the more serious themes it attempts to address, leading to some emotional dissonance as the credits roll.