SHE RIDES SHOTGUN (2025) C+

(director/writer: Nick Rowland; screenwriter: Ben Collins, Jordan Harper, Luke Plotrowsky, based on the novel by Jordan Harper; cinematographer: Wyatt Garfield; editor: Julie Monroe; music: Blanck Mass; cast: Ana Sophia Heger (Polly Huff), Jamie Bernadette (Mom at school), Goldie Tom (School Teacher), Taron Egerton (Nathan Mcclusky), John Carrol Lynch (Sheriff), Odessa A’zion (Charlotte), Rob Yang (John Park), Dave Lyons (Jimmy); Runtime: 120; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Brad Weston, Collin Creighton, Nate Matteson, Hiro Murai; Lionsgate; 2025)

“There have been better films on the same topic.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Nick Rowland (“Calm With Horses”/”Floodlights”) directs this violent, overlong, neo-noir crime thriller/family drama that’s set in New Mexico. It’s based on the novel by Jordan Harper and is co-written by Rowland, Harper, Ben Collins, and Luke Plotrowsky.

The 11-year-old Polly Huff (Ana Sophia Heger) waits for her mom (Jamie Bernadette) to arrive after school and take her home. Mom never shows. Instead she’s surprised to find her estranged father Nate (Taron Egerton) arriving to take her home in a battered old car. He was just released from prison and is on the run from ruthless drug dealers and the crooked sheriff (John Carrol Lynch).

The kid gets caught in the middle of this ticklish situation, as Detective Park (Rob Yang) is on Nate’s trail. The bald headed and heavily tattooed dad recklessly takes the kid with him to the home of his ex-girlfriend Charlotte (Odessa A’zion).

Though dad earnestly tries to bond with Polly, his irresponsible actions make it hard to sympathize with him. It’s an uneasy to watch character study. There have been better films on the same topic of dysfunctional families, nevertheless Heger and Egerton turn in fine performances. 

REVIEWED ON 9/1/2025  GRADE: C+
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