Film Review: The Cost of Something Priceless (9/10)

Ari Brisbon
Dec 4, 2025
5 min read

A face of an angel.. heart of the devil.

The Cost Of Something Priceless, written and directed by Adam Silva, is an intense and unflinching action thriller that never gives you a moment to breathe. Led by the commanding performance of Lina Maya, the film also stars Steven Staine Fernandez, Jessica Krueger, Chris Terell, and Diana Banya. At the heart of the story is Carmen, played by Maya. She is a mother who refuses to let fear, violence, or the consequences of her actions stand in the way of retrieving her daughter from her ruthless and manipulative boyfriend.

The film wastes no time pulling you into Carmen’s desperation, and as the plot unfolds, her decisions become more dangerous and more unpredictable. With betrayals coming from every angle and alliances forming out of necessity rather than trust, Carmen navigates powerful men, criminals, and her own impulses in a heart pounding tale rooted in motherly love and sheer force of will. It is elevated by its commitment to emotional intensity and the chaotic unpredictability of survival.

STORY (2/2)

Watching a Latina heroine take full command of a pure action thriller like this is not just refreshing, it is exhilarating. Through Carmen’s narration, the audience is locked directly into her mindset. You feel her exhaustion, her fear, and her determination climbing higher with every scene. The lengths she goes to are presented without hesitation, which constantly raises the stakes, and as a result, it was nearly impossible for me to look away.

The story begins with a steady calmness that lulls you into believing you understand the direction it will take. Then the narrative twists begin hitting one after another, giving the film a roller coaster quality that feels pulled straight from a gritty graphic novel. It has the heightened style of classic action cinema while still grounding Carmen’s motivation in something raw and deeply human. The structure is surprisingly accessible, and although you can sense where the general path is heading, the film injects enough originality and personality into each beat that you genuinely question how things will play out.

The world around Carmen becomes a pressure cooker where every choice comes with a cost. Silva’s writing leans into the idea that survival and morality rarely move in the same direction. It makes the story not only entertaining, but electric with tension.

VISUALS (2/2)

The visuals embrace the pulp action genre with confidence. The camera moves quickly, creating a sense of immediacy that matches the high stakes of the story. The cinematography and lighting give the environment its own personality, from graffiti filled back alleys to polished and deceptively peaceful suburban neighborhoods. Each location feels lived in and layered, capturing the gritty underbelly and the glossy surface of the world Carmen is fighting through.

The film does not shy away from blood, impact, or rough edges. The use of makeup and practical effects blends well with digital elements, forming a visual texture that supports the chaos unfolding on screen. The fight sequences hit hard and carry a scrappy authenticity. Some moments could have benefited from a little more refinement to heighten realism, but overall they land with more visceral force than polished artificiality. The result feels more like an “oh damn” moment than an “oh come on” moment, which is exactly what a film like this needs.

The visual energy is one of the strongest elements of the project. It refuses to let the viewer drift and consistently demands attention.

SOUND (1/2)

The sound department deserves major credit. Action thrillers often rely on sound to build suspense and create rhythm, and this film uses its audio with intention. The score adds momentum to every major beat and carries an emotional pulse that supports Carmen’s inner turmoil. It helps accent the build up to violence and keeps the energy flowing even in quieter moments.

There is a moment when the audio background noticeably shifts. The voices match perfectly, but the ambient sound falls slightly out of sync with the environment. While it is noticeable, it does not break the immersion or damage the storytelling. For the most part, the mix finds a strong balance between effects, dialogue, and music.

What really stands out is the original soundtrack. It highlights independent artists across different genres and cultures, giving the film a modern and diverse musical identity. It provides a tone that matches the intensity and emotional grit of the film while also appealing to a wide audience.

CHARACTER (2/2)

Carmen, portrayed by Lina Maya, is a powerhouse. Her performance is gritty, fearless, and full of emotional intensity. She is dangerous, captivating, and grounded in a vulnerability that makes her impossible not to root for. Maya brings her absolute best to the role, creating a lead character who commands every scene she touches. She deserves full recognition for what she delivers here.

Javier, played by Steven Staine Fernandez, is a stylish and memorable antagonist. He gives the film a charismatic villain whose presence heightens tension whenever he appears. His chemistry with Carmen is sharp, unpredictable, and genuinely fun to watch. He adds a slick sense of danger that fits perfectly within the story.

Jack and Jill, played by Chris Terrell and Jessica Krueger, are unexpected scene stealers. They bring comic relief in moments that feel organic rather than forced, and their neutral thug personalities add layers to the unfolding chaos. Their dynamic with Carmen shifts the tone in surprising ways, adding levity without breaking the tension.

Every member of the cast brings something distinct, creating a believable ensemble that hits dramatic, comedic, and emotional notes with balance.

FACTOR X (1/2)

The Cost Of Something Priceless contains moments that genuinely stand out. It evokes films like Proud Mary, Smoking Aces, and Everly, blending high energy action with stylized character driven storytelling. The film hits with the force of a buckshot blast, delivering raw performances that are rare for action thrillers in this tier.

The real shame is that the film sits in an awkward space between markets. It is too strong, too original, and too sharply executed to feel like a standard Tubi release, yet it may not carry the mass market appeal Hollywood currently prioritizes. That says more about the industry than the film itself. The creativity, ambition, and passion behind the project give it the potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with larger productions, and in several moments, it absolutely does.

This film takes risks that most indie action movies shy away from, and that risk pays off.

I scored The Cost Of Something Priceless a strong nine because it delivered exactly what I want from an action thriller and did it with style. It reminded me of the days when I could walk into a theater, pick a random movie, and walk out grinning from the adrenaline rush. It brought back the same energy I felt when I first watched films like Desperado and Kill Bill. It is bold, messy in the right ways, and full of personality.

What makes it even better is how easy it is to watch. You do not have to hunt for it or wait for a festival. It is right there on Tubi and Prime Video, ready to hit you with a jolt of action and attitude.

If you enjoy gritty, wild, fast moving thrillers with a heart at the center, this one is absolutely worth your time.