BALLISTIC

(director/writer: Chad Faust; cinematographer: Kristofer Bonneli; editor: Mariana Urrutia; music: Dillon Baldassero; cast: Lena Headey (Nance Redfield), Amybeth McMulty (Diana), Hamza Haq (Kahill Nabizada), Enrico Colantoni (Rico Barber), Amanda Brugel (Galindo), Chad Faust (SSG Buchanan, Army recruiter), Jordan Kronis (Jesse Redfield); Runtime: 91; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Thomas Michael; Brainstorm Media/Fella Films; 2025-USA/Canada)

“Uneven but diverting revenge thriller.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Canadian filmmaker Chad Faust (“Girl”) is writer-director of this uneven but diverting revenge thriller.

Nance Redfield (Lena Headey) is a grieving mother who wants to do the right thing for her beloved only son Jesse (Jordan Kronis) by getting back at whoever was responsible for killing him-either the Taliban or friendly fire. She seems to be on an impossible mission that makes little sense, but her grief drives the film and allows us to see how unbearable war is.

Jesse has a beautiful pregnant wife Diana (Amybeth McMulty), who moves in with his mom while he’s in the Army, stationed in Afghanistan. When his single mom learns of his death, she goes to a group therapy session led by Kahlil (Hamza Haq), a parent of a son killed in the war, but doesn’t open up to the group how much she’s shaken by her loss like they do.

The film has merit because Headey’s vengeful mother seems real even if she acts like a crazy person, she still allows us to see what she’s going through.

REVIEWED ON 5/30/2026  GRADE: B-
dennisschwartzreviews.com