Those Who Wish Me Dead

Movie Trailer

Release Date
May 14, 2021

Genre
Action, Thriller

Cast & Crew

• Angelina Jolie as Hannah Faber
• Finn Little as Connor Casserly
• Jon Bernthal as Ethan Sawyer
• Aidan Gillen as Jack Blackwell
• Nicholas Hoult as Patrick Blackwell
• Medina Senghore as Allison Sawyer
• Jake Weber as Owen Casserly
• Tyler Perry as Arthur

Director
Taylor Sheridan

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Wind River (2017)
• Vile (2011)

Producer

• Taylor Sheridan
• Garrett Basch
• Steven Zaillian
• Aaron L. Gilbert
• Kevin Turen

Writer

• Taylor Sheridan
• Michael Koryta (co-writer of the screenplay and author of the original novel)
• Charles Leavitt

Budget
$20 million

Production Company

• BRON Studios
• Film Rites
• New Line Cinema
• Creative Wealth Media

Running Time
100 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Intense violence
• Strong language
• Perilous situations
• Some disturbing imagery

Movie Story
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” is a gripping action thriller centered around Hannah Faber (Angelina Jolie), a smokejumper (firefighter) haunted by a past tragedy in the Montana wilderness. The story unfolds as Hannah, still reeling from the trauma of losing three lives in a forest fire, is stationed at a remote fire tower. Her quiet, isolated life takes a drastic turn when she crosses paths with a young boy named Connor (Finn Little), who is on the run after witnessing his father’s murder.

Connor’s father, Owen (Jake Weber), was a forensic accountant who uncovered dangerous secrets that put both him and his son in the crosshairs of two ruthless assassins, Jack (Aidan Gillen) and Patrick Blackwell (Nicholas Hoult). Owen’s last act before his death is to send Connor into the woods with evidence that could expose the powerful figures behind the hit. With the killers hot on his trail, Connor finds refuge with Hannah, who vows to protect him at all costs.

As the assassins close in, a massive forest fire—started to cover up the evidence—turns the already perilous situation into a life-or-death struggle. Hannah, driven by a need for redemption, must face her fears and use all of her skills to navigate the deadly fire and outwit the relentless killers. Along the way, she is aided by Ethan Sawyer (Jon Bernthal), a local sheriff with his own connections to the boy, and Allison (Medina Senghore), Ethan’s formidable wife who proves to be a fierce protector.

“Those Who Wish Me Dead” combines tense action sequences with emotional depth, exploring themes of survival, guilt, and redemption. The Montana wilderness, with its sprawling forests and raging fires, serves as both a stunning backdrop and a treacherous battlefield in this high-stakes thriller.

Special Effects
The special effects in “Those Who Wish Me Dead” are particularly effective in depicting the forest fire, which becomes a character in its own right. The fire sequences are intense and realistic, creating a palpable sense of danger that heightens the tension throughout the film. Practical effects, combined with CGI, are used to create the flames and smoke that engulf the characters, making the audience feel the heat and peril of the inferno.

Box Office Performance
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected its traditional box office performance. Despite the challenges, the film received positive reviews, particularly for its action sequences and Angelina Jolie’s performance. It grossed approximately $23 million worldwide and found a wider audience through its streaming release.

Filming Locations

• Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
• Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Notable Quotes

• “Survival isn’t just about being tough; it’s about being smart.” – Hannah Faber
• “You can’t outrun this.” – Jack Blackwell

Behind-the-Scenes
Director Taylor Sheridan is known for his focus on intense, character-driven stories set against the backdrop of the American wilderness. For “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” Sheridan aimed to create a classic thriller with a modern twist, emphasizing practical effects and real locations to immerse the audience in the story. The forest fire scenes were particularly challenging, with the production team working closely with fire experts to safely execute the large-scale sequences.

Awards

• None, though it received praise for its direction and action sequences.

Final Verdict
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” is a solid, adrenaline-fueled thriller that combines strong performances, particularly from Angelina Jolie, with spectacular action and a gripping storyline. While it may not reinvent the genre, it delivers on its promises of suspense and excitement, making it a satisfying watch for fans of action-packed survival stories.

IMDb Rating
6.0/10