Shadows on the Wall | High Rollers

High Rollers

dir Ives
scr Chris Sivertson
prd Joel Cohen, Alissa Holley, Gwen Osborne, Sean Stone
with John Travolta, Gina Gershon, Lukas Haas, Quavo, Natali Yura, Noel G, Swen Temmel, Demian Castro, Danny Pardo, Kelly Greyson, Alex Hurt, Joel Cohen
release US 14.Mar.25, UK 20.Jun.25
25/US 1h41

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Despite the offbeat cast, this comical caper is produced in a generic style, complete with thrumming musical score and snappy plot twists. Thankfully the tone is raucous and irreverent enough to hold the interest, while the cast and crew clearly know that this story is utterly ridiculous. So while there's no real suspense, partly because action scenes are often incoherent, there's plenty to keep us lightly entertained.

When his partner Amelia (Gershon) is kidnapped, Mason (Travolta) assembles his crack team of thieves: his brother Shawn (Haas), Anton (Quavo), Hector (G), techie Link (Yura) and her new husband Caras (Temmel). To get Amelia back, they must complete a job for their nemesis Salazar (Pardo). But FBI Agent Rickter (Cohen) is on their trail as they plan an elaborate heist posing as high rollers at a seaside casino owned by the ruthless Zade (Castro). And while the various villainous factions try to undermine each other, there seems to be a mole in Mason's gang.

Twists and turns continually emerge, as this crew moves further into this eerily vague robbery without knowing what it is they are stealing. Some of these add texture to what's going on, while others are extremely predictable, taken straight from other heist movies. The script throws wild cards in from every side, which at least keep us on our toes. And a few properly grisly moments hint that something nasty might happen at some point.

Travolta deploys his usual on-screen charm, even if his face is incapable of movement. He makes Mason a likeable rogue who dives into his alter-ego with gusto. Gershon has some fun as the feisty Amelia, who takes on Pardo's amusingly sneering villain. And Castro adds some even more nefarious shadiness in his role. But Haas, Quavo, Yura, G and Temmel only get brief moments to make an impact; none is able to build much personality from the script.

For an independent film, it looks just about slick enough, even with the awkward action beats. And there are hints of past relationships that provide a few dramatic wrinkles to go along with the various family feuds, betrayals and double-crossings. It's enjoyable to watch various characters switch sides as everything spirals out of control. But there's nothing particularly meaningful going on here, and it isn't quite sharp enough to leave us hoping for an Ocean's-style sequel.

themes, language, violence 16.Jun.25

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