Ida Red

Movie Trailer

Release Date
November 5, 2021

Genre
Crime, Thriller, Drama

Cast & Crew

• Josh Hartnett as Wyatt Walker
• Frank Grillo as Dallas Walker
• Melissa Leo as Ida “Red” Walker
• Sofia Hublitz as Darla Walker
• William Forsythe as Lawrence Twilley
• Deborah Ann Woll as Jeanie Walker
• Beau Knapp as Bodie Collier
• Mark Boone Junior as Benson Drummond

Director
John Swab

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Run with the Hunted (2019)
• Body Brokers (2021)
• Candy Land (upcoming)

Producer
Jeremy M. Rosen
Robert Ogden Barnum
John Swab

Writer
John Swab

Budget
N/A (Independent Film)

Production Company
Saban Films
Roxwell Films
Brooklyn Films

Running Time
111 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Strong violence
• Language
• Drug use
• Mature themes

Movie Story
“Ida Red” is a gritty crime thriller centered around the Walker family, a group entrenched in a life of crime in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The film explores themes of family loyalty, desperation, and the lengths people will go to for survival. At the heart of the story is Ida “Red” Walker (Melissa Leo), the matriarch of the family, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for armed robbery. Despite being behind bars, Ida still exerts a powerful influence over her family, particularly her two sons, Wyatt (Josh Hartnett) and Dallas (Frank Grillo).

Wyatt, the more level-headed of the two brothers, is trying to hold the family together and protect his teenage niece Darla (Sofia Hublitz) from the family’s criminal lifestyle. However, when Ida’s health begins to deteriorate and it becomes clear that she might not survive her prison sentence, the family is forced into desperate measures. Ida persuades Wyatt and Dallas to pull off one last job—a high-stakes heist that could secure their freedom and future.

As the plan unfolds, tensions rise, and the family becomes entangled in a web of violence, betrayal, and moral ambiguity. Wyatt, caught between his loyalty to his mother and his desire to escape the life of crime, finds himself on a collision course with the law, represented by FBI agent Lawrence Twilley (William Forsythe). The film builds to a tense and dramatic climax, exploring the consequences of the choices each character makes.

“Ida Red” is a dark and intense exploration of family dynamics set against the backdrop of the criminal underworld. Melissa Leo delivers a powerful performance as Ida, a woman hardened by her life choices yet fiercely protective of her family. Josh Hartnett and Frank Grillo provide strong support as the two brothers grappling with their loyalty to their mother and the moral implications of their actions.

Special Effects
The film uses practical effects to enhance its action sequences, including shootouts and car chases. The gritty, realistic style of the cinematography adds to the film’s tense atmosphere, with a focus on the bleak, unforgiving landscape of the Oklahoma setting.

Box Office Performance
“Ida Red” had a limited release, primarily reaching audiences through digital and on-demand platforms. The film received mixed to positive reviews, with praise for the performances and the intense, character-driven story. However, some critics noted that the plot followed familiar crime thriller tropes.

Filming Locations

• Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Notable Quotes

• “This family is all we’ve got, and we do whatever it takes to protect it.” – Ida “Red” Walker
• “I’m not going back to prison, Wyatt. This is our last chance.” – Dallas Walker
• “You can’t outrun your blood, Wyatt. You know that better than anyone.” – Ida “Red” Walker

Behind-the-Scenes

• Director John Swab, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, drew inspiration from his hometown and the stories of crime and family loyalty he encountered growing up.
• The film marks the second collaboration between Josh Hartnett and director John Swab, following “Run with the Hunted” (2019).

Awards

• None

Final Verdict
“Ida Red” is a gripping and intense crime thriller that delves deep into the complexities of family loyalty and the consequences of living a life of crime. With strong performances, particularly from Melissa Leo, and a taut, suspenseful narrative, the film offers a dark and compelling look at the lengths people will go to for the ones they love. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it is a well-crafted and engaging entry that will appeal to fans of character-driven crime dramas.

IMDb Rating
5.5/10