Jolt Review: Beckinsale Doing What She Does Best!

Jolt is Amazon Prime Video’s 2021 action film starring Kate Beckinsale as Lindy. A bouncer with severe anger management issues who uses an “electrotherapy” device to shock herself whenever her anger rises. After the death of a friend, she goes on a violent, vengeful rampage, one she may be stuck in forever. Both the premise and storyline of Jolt is over the top, ridiculous and absurd really but I was in the mood for some mindless fun.

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I’ve always had a girl crush on Kate Beckinsale. She’s electric on film with a raw sex appeal matched only by that of Angelina Jolie in her heyday. And of course, the woman does not age. Her work in Underworld and Van Helsing has led to her being predominantly cast in gothic/action roles. That being said I wasn’t surprised at all with this casting. (Personally I really liked her in The Aviator and Pearl Harbour).

The detectives, played by Bobby Cannavale and Laverne Cox provided comic relief throughout the film and I even enjoyed her exchanges with her therapist Dr. Munchin, played by Stanley Tucci. The acting was solid but the script didn’t challenge the actors and the dialogue was basic. In fact the whole thing was basic. Not sorry.

I kept thinking, I’ll bet a man wrote this… I was right in my assumption of course but when I realised a woman had directed it…don’t want to spoil really but there were questions… The set was great as were the prop pieces, though I felt like for an action movie, the fight scenes could’ve been alot better.

The ending provided a dark comedic take on dating/relationships I guess and though you have a sneaking suspicion it’s coming, you can’t help but be annoyed when it does. By the time I realised what Jolt was supposed to be about, it was almost over and I was a little disgusted.

It played upon the most misogynistic stereotypes of women. I’m sorry but the narrative just doesn’t fit what they were trying to achieve. How can your action lead be a woman and yet you’re this tone deaf? Appalling really. This film was really just an excuse for Beckinsale to do what Beckinsale does best. Watch ‘Jolt’ on Prime Video here.

‘Jolt’ Rating – 2/5

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