Blood Father is a suspenseful, action-packed film that shows what lengths a father will go to to help his estranged daughter get out of a pretty complex situation. Mel Gibson delivers a powerful and intense performance as John Link, an ex-con and recovering alcoholic whose daughter, Lydia (Erin Moriarty), has been missing for years. When the two reunite, she’s got the weight of the world on her back and a price on her head. It’s a good thing her dad’s got a few tricks up his sleeve and few friends to enlist for help along the way.
From that point forward, John and Lydia are on the run, dodging bullets, hotwiring cars, and hitching rides to stay off the beaten path to keep Lydia out of harm’s way. Will the cartel catch up to her and make her pay for her transgressions? Will John keep her safe?
Blood Father is an exciting and tense ride that also includes the talents of William H. Macy (Shameless), Michael Parks (Django Unchained), Miguel Sandoval (Jurassic Park), and Dale Dickey (Hell or High Water). Director Jean-François Richet delivers an excellent balance between the father-daughter dynamic and the action sequences that gives both depth and nuance as the film progresses. No shot or scene is wasted in this well-crafted film.
The lone special feature is a very intriguing and insightful documentary, Lost Souls: On the Road With Blood Father, which gives us a closer look at the production and the process of adapting a novel into a feature film. Very enjoyable!
I highly recommend Blood Father. It’s a solid piece of filmmaking with excellent performances from Gibson and the entire cast.
Blood Father is available now on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download.
What’s your favorite Mel Gibson movie? Leave a comment and let us know!