Film Review: War Path (6/10)

Christian Vallejo
Dec 12, 2025
4 min read

Dirty deeds, dramatic chases, and one man’s really bad weekend.

War Path is an action thriller written and directed by Casey de Fremery and starring Gary Nohealii, Liz Clare, and Cole Panther. The film centers on a contract killer whose routine assignment turns into a complete disaster. One mistake sends him into a relentless spiral where every direction leads to trouble. Criminals want him dead, police want him caught, and his wife becomes the leverage in the middle of it all.

In tone and structure, it plays like one long panic attack stretched across a weekend, driven by regret, desperation, and a constant fight to stay alive. Think of it as a “wrong job at the wrong time” story that barrels forward without slowing down, offering a gritty escape for viewers who want something fast, sharp, and a little rough.

STORY (1/2)

The plot follows a hitman who accepts a risky contract that quickly goes sideways. What begins as a standard job erupts into betrayal and chaos that forces him to improvise every step of the way. From the moment things fall apart, the film pushes into a straightforward chase narrative that focuses on survival and the search for redemption. It relies on familiar story beats such as corrupt employers, violent double crosses, and frantic escapes, which means it never breaks new ground. At the same time, the pacing keeps the story in motion and avoids unnecessary complications.

When it hits, it hits with tension and urgency. When it misses, it is often because the story follows recognizable patterns that you have probably seen before. Even so, there are just enough small twists and desperate choices to keep you invested. It is less about depth and more about watching a man claw his way through a weekend from hell.

VISUALS (1/2)

For a modest independent action thriller, War Path looks cleaner and more polished than expected. The cinematography leans into natural lighting, darker corners, and grimy textures that reflect the rough world the characters move through. The visuals rarely aim for spectacle but they stay consistent and grounded, which supports the tone. A few shots embrace the grit with handheld energy and street level framing that make the film feel like a throwback to older low budget thrillers.

While the movie never reaches a visual high point that stuns, it also avoids distracting missteps. There are no awkward edits, odd color grading choices, or moments that pull you out of the story. The visuals simply exist to serve the chaos and urgency of the plot. If you walk in without expecting artistry, the film delivers a solid and serviceable visual experience.

SOUND (1/2)

The sound design does its job well enough. Dialogue remains clear even when scenes get loud or frantic, which is essential for keeping track of the constant pursuit. Gunshots, engines, and fights carry a gritty realism that suits the film’s tone. The score is more atmospheric than memorable, offering tension where needed without ever stepping forward as a defining element.

There are moments where the audio mix feels flatter than it should, especially during quick action cuts, but nothing breaks the experience. It all contributes to a grounded, utilitarian soundscape. The audio may not elevate the film, but it never drags it down either.

CHARACTER (1/2)

The protagonist fits the mold of the seasoned yet troubled hitman who tries to outrun his past while scrambling to fix his present. Gary Nohealii brings enough physicality and emotional strain to make the character believable. Even when the script gives him limited depth, his performance carries the desperation needed to keep the story engaging. Liz Clare provides a grounding emotional counterpoint as the wife caught in the storm.

The supporting cast fills out the world with shifting loyalties and recognizable motivations that help paint a picture of a criminal network that operates without mercy. While the characters do not undergo complex arcs or profound revelations, they feel appropriate for the type of movie this is. Their world looks lived in and worn down, and their choices reflect that exhaustion.

FACTOR X (2/2)

Here’s where I get a little more personal: War Path isn’t subtle, and it isn’t pretty but thankfully it doesn’t try to be. If you sit down expecting high drama, deep themes, or to be on your feet, you may find yourself doom scrolling as a distraction. But if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, slightly gritty escape ride where you can forget logic and just go along for the chaos, it works.

It’s like a “bang-bang, run, maybe survive” kind of flick. It reminded me a bit of those cheap-and-grimy ’90s action movies where the hero gets punched, shot at, runs down back alleys, and still somehow keeps going. Not refined, but raw. And sometimes, that’s part of the fun.

War Path is a scrappy and unpolished action thriller that delivers exactly what it promises. It never aims for prestige and it never slows down long enough to pretend it does. What you get is a chaotic sprint of violence, regret, and determination that works best when you want to switch off your brain and enjoy a rough ride.

It is not the most original or emotionally rich film out there, but it offers enough tension, enough grit, and enough commitment to keep you watching. For nights when you want a quick escape into a dangerous world without overthinking anything, War Path is a solid option. For low cost rental, the film earns its place in the “simple but satisfying” category.