Gosling hasn't been this achingly cool since Drive. He makes Six an indelible figure who's utterly irresistible, especially as he prioritises his ragtag makeshift family. He may be physically indestructible (cue a shirtless muscle moment), but he's also vulnerable and charming. And he has hilariously snappy rapport with Evans, who's in barnstorming mode as the swaggering Lloyd. Thankfully, de Armas role also has some fiery depth to it, a woman who never needs a man to save or define her.

Even expert side players manage to add interest along the way, although most others are little more than cannon fodder. The script's central thesis seems to be that murdering bad guys (including faceless goons and off-screen collateral) is a surefire cure for internal trauma. But this is forgotten during wildly entertaining payoffs that will be best experienced on the big screen, plus a narrative that's thoroughly gripping right to the very end. We certainly won't mind the major dangling plot thread, as it hints that more is coming.

themes, language, violence

5.Jul.22

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