The Rhythm Section

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: January 31, 2020

4.1	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Ratings

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RalfbergsJan 11, 2022

I thought this movies plot on paper was ok but movie itself had too little action and quite long scenes between and at times it just got boring. Even if we consider it not action movie I still didn't feel it that interesting about the mainI thought this movies plot on paper was ok but movie itself had too little action and quite long scenes between and at times it just got boring. Even if we consider it not action movie I still didn't feel it that interesting about the main character and how the story was portrayed in movie. Doubt will even remember I watched such movie in few months. Basically meh - not bad, can watch it, but nothing special at all… Expand

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masterluJul 4, 2020

Took too long to get going. a revenge movie that has an overlong beginning of protagonist in despair then long sequence of stumbling into getting ready and "anti terrorist training". somewhat realistic I suppose in that it shows what kind ofTook too long to get going. a revenge movie that has an overlong beginning of protagonist in despair then long sequence of stumbling into getting ready and "anti terrorist training". somewhat realistic I suppose in that it shows what kind of happens when "ordinary" people aren't really ready for dangerous situations. a little difficult to follow at times.… Expand

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MarkHReviewsFeb 14, 2020

In his first screenwriting effort, Mark Burnell seeks to expand the action movie genre. He and Director Reed Morano (“The Handmaid’s Tale” TV series) succeed, but only partially. “The Rhythm Section” is based on the book by the same name,In his first screenwriting effort, Mark Burnell seeks to expand the action movie genre. He and Director Reed Morano (“The Handmaid’s Tale” TV series) succeed, but only partially. “The Rhythm Section” is based on the book by the same name, one of four in Burnell’s series of Stephanie Patrick novels.

As the film opens, Stephanie (Blake Lively) is a drug-addled prostitute grieving the loss of all her immediate family in a plane crash. An investigative journalist informs Stephanie that there was a bomb on the plane. Stephanie decides to pull herself together and go after those responsible. Along the way, she’s mentored and trained by the enigmatic “B,” (Jude Law). Mayhem ensues.

“The Rhythm Section” uses two structural elements to push the boundaries of the genre. First, it’s an action movie where there’s no real action in the first 50% of the film. This creates the risk that the typical adrenaline-obsessed audience member will become bored. But it also creates the opportunity for actual character development. There’s time for Stephanie to discover her resolve, realize that she’s not very good at being a killer and, over time, improve. This is actually a refreshing shift from the boxer who does four push-ups, runs up the steps of the Philly Art Museum and is fully prepared to fight for the world championship. (Yeah, I went there.)

The second structural difference is that Stephanie, instinctively, is not a very good killer. This allows Morano and Burnell to frame her initial assignment in a very non-traditional way, focusing on her sheer terror, not giving her the cold, emotionally distant competence we’ve come to expect from these characters. In that sense, Stephanie becomes less superhero and more Everyman. It’s an interesting premise – what would happen if the average person decided to train to kill people.

Lively and the supporting cast are first-rate. Lively’s performance makes a strength of her character’s inner contradictions. Jude Law goes against type, taking a break from playing the Pope (“The Young Pope,” “The New Pope,” “Pope Springs Eternal”) and Sherlock Holmes’ sidekick. Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us” TV series) takes a break from hunky vulnerability to embrace a role which suggests that males, shockingly, are not always emotionally accessible. The problem with “The Rhythm Section” is that it ultimately will frustrate almost everybody. People wanting and expecting an action movie won’t have the patience to wade through all this character development. People coming for an atmospheric character study will find the last half of the film much too predictable. Hence its box office bust.

Having said all that, this is the type of film that deserves interest, not condescension for its obvious flaws. We say we want Hollywood to offer rethinking of a genre and not reboots, character development and not just cartoons. “The Rhythm Section” actually makes that effort… Expand

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TVJerryFeb 7, 2020

When the movie starts, Blake Lively's character is a junkie prostitute. She's sunken to these depths because her family was in a plane crash. Turns out it was actually a bombing, so thru a series of unlikely events, including intense trainingWhen the movie starts, Blake Lively's character is a junkie prostitute. She's sunken to these depths because her family was in a plane crash. Turns out it was actually a bombing, so thru a series of unlikely events, including intense training by ex-MI6 agent (Jude Law), she sets out to wreak revenge. Unlike Jennifer Lawrence in Red Sparrow and Scarlett Johansson in several recent movies, Lively doesn't become a superhuman-ish hero. She remains vulnerable, physically and mentally, but still manages to thrash thru some physical feats and acts with continual intensity. Sadly, nothing about this film is especially exciting or surprising.… Expand

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GinaKFeb 6, 2020

Blake Lively had enough “presence” to keep me interested in her performance, but the director lets her down by not making the pace furious enough and the screenwriter by not making the plot interesting enough. Her character’s desire forBlake Lively had enough “presence” to keep me interested in her performance, but the director lets her down by not making the pace furious enough and the screenwriter by not making the plot interesting enough. Her character’s desire for revenge seems real for about 15 minutes, but most of the time she is as much the hapless victim of dumb situations as fearsome avenger. Sadly, Jude Law’s character is merely a plot device to keep things mindlessly limping along, and you feel more sympathy for the graphic physical beating Lively takes than for her sadness and psychological pain.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Farside22Feb 6, 2020

Blake is good but the story and execution is really incredible and far fetched! I suspend reality at movies but let’s be serious hooker to killer in no time!! PLEASE!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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