A compelling thriller and a thoroughly enjoyable action film, Sandra Sciberras’ Seven Snipers is a sensationally thrilling film that is sure to delight any cinema going audience.
Set on a remote Australian farm, the film follows Kris, a retired special ops sniper who seeks help from her old unit when the mysterious warlord, The Dragon, tries to kidnap and kill her teenage daughter. Radha Mitchell stars as Kris and is absolutely excellent in the role. She brings a rugged gravitas to the character that makes her excellent to watch.
Tim Roth portrays The Dragon, a character as compelling as he is terrifying, showing once again that Roth is one of the most interesting character actors working today. Ioan Gruffudd plays one of Kris’ old unit members, code name Milk, and serves as the film’s comedic relief, with his morbid humor proving a breath of fresh air amongst the film’s more violent sequences. Relative newcomer Annabel Wolfe rounds out the film’s main cast as Kris’ daughter Anja and turns in an inspiring performance for a younger actor, allowing the viewer to empathize with her and her mother’s plight.
Sciberras’ direction is steady and unflashy, allowing the intense realism of the movie to remain at the forefront of the audience’s mind. As can be expected from an action film, Seven Snipers includes a great number of stunts, all of which are executed magnificently, especially given the film’s relatively low budget.
But perhaps what is most aspirational about the film is how well it transfers the language of the American action blockbuster to an Australian setting, which has exciting possibilities for the Australian industry’s future as a tent pole of blockbuster cinema.
Overall, Seven Snipers is a magnificent picture that will be sure to satisfy anyone looking for both a thrill ride and an emotional story of the relationship between mother and daughter.
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