Film Review – Those Who Wish Me Dead

Last seen a few weeks ago turning in subpar work as part of the screenwriting team on “Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse,” Taylor Sheridan claims more creative control by taking on directorial duties for “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” which is an adaptation of a 2014 book by Michael Koryta. Sheridan made a strong impression a few years back with “Wind River,” an unusual mystery thriller that featured at least one incredibly shocking scene of suspense. The same screen magic doesn’t make its way to his latest picture, which struggles to manage the novel’s story and Sheridan’s helming vision. He’s turned “Those Who Wish Me Dead” into more a western experience, which doesn’t translate to cinematic excitement, overseeing lackluster performances and feeble characterizations, saving his energy for a small selection of rural Montana survival challenges. Angelina Jolie is pushed as the star of the show, but Sheridan aims for more of a group effort here, working to keep the endeavor from transforming into the mid-1990s actioner it wants to become. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com