Courtesy of netflixr(don’t want to tag him) I got around to seeing this film and honestly I owe him one because this film didn’t just deliver action, it hit me right in the chest.
Plot / Set-Up
Nate McClusky (played by Taron Egerton) is freshly out of prison, carrying the kind of past that never really lets him go. He reconnects with his 11 year old daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger), but almost immediately, danger follows as his old enemies aren’t done with him, and now Polly’s life is on the line as a green light’s been put on her.
Soon enough, both father and daughter's reunion turns sour and they get into a desperate road trip, fleeing across hostile ground, chased by both men and memories.
My Review and Rating
What I especially give this film credit for is allowing Polly to remain a child. Too often, movies like this force kids to suddenly toughen up and become mini-gangsters, but here, she’s still scared, still playful, still figuring things out. The world around her is violent, but she doesn’t lose her innocence overnight. There’s something deeply moving about watching her try to stay a kid while everything pushes her to grow up too fast and this is where the movie shines.
Nate isn’t a perfect man, he’s a criminal, a fighter, a guy who’s made some really bad choices. But as a father, he’s undeniable. I found myself rooting for him not because he was “good” by society’s standards, but because he was good to his daughter. There’s something raw about seeing a man who knows he’s messed up still fight tooth and nail to protect the one thing he can’t afford to lose.
Taron Egerton brings that tough, scrappy energy to Nate, but beneath it is regret and vulnerability. Ana Sophia Heger is fantastic as Polly. I love her so much already although it’s my first time seeing her on screen. Her character is believable, never overacted, carrying just the right mix of fear and spark. Together, their chemistry feels genuine, like a father and daughter who are learning each other in the middle of chaos.
The direction is gritty and tense, keeping you on edge with moments of stillness that land just as hard as the bursts of violence. I never expected this much from it considering that the cinematography had grainy quality.
Where It Stumbles
The story isn’t immune to predictability. Some beats, betrayals, close escapes, inevitable confrontations, you can see coming. The middle drags slightly in places. But honestly? The emotional backbone keeps you invested enough that you forgive the bumps along the way.
Wondering why I rooted for Nate even though he’s a “bad guy?”
Because fatherhood isn’t neat. Nate may not be a role model, but he’s a protector. He’s flawed, bruised and was probably headed toward more mistakes, but when it comes to Polly, he’s all in. That, to me, was worth rooting for. In a way, the film reminds us that love doesn’t cancel out imperfection, sometimes it shines brighter because of it.
She Rides Shotgun is more than a crime thriller. It’s a story about second chances, the stubbornness of love and how children can remain children even in the darkest storms if someone is willing to fight for their light.
Oh, I absolutely do recommend.
Rating: 8.0/10