The Collective – Film Review

A group of righteous assassins called the Collective takes aim at a highly sophisticated human trafficking ring that’s backed by a network of untouchable billionaires. With their back against the wall, the Collective has no choice but to put its most important mission in the hands of a rookie assassin.

Tom DeNucci‘s The Collective, which follows a young recruit’s journey into the world of assassins and human trafficking, initially seems to offer a promising blend of action and intrigue. The movie has a star-studded cast that includes Ruby Rose, Don Johnson, Lucas Till, Paul Ben-Victor, and Mercedes Varnado. But as the story develops, it becomes clear that the movie struggles to go beyond its cliched execution and generic premise, ultimately underwhelming audiences.

Daisy (Ruby Rose), a mysterious and reserved young woman, is the focus of the film. Daisy unanticipatedly joins a clandestine assassination organization. The Collective is a government organization tasked with eradicating dangerous criminals and human traffickers. Daisy is thrown into her first assignment despite her lack of experience, but things take an unexpected turn, forcing her to go rogue and find a particularly dangerous group of human traffickers.

The movie’s inability to present a unique and original story is one of its biggest flaws. In the action genre, the idea of a young recruit rebelling against authority is not particularly novel. The plot develops predictably, with scenes that appear to have been lifted from numerous films with a similar theme. Even the twist, which the filmmakers hope will improve the story, is obvious from the beginning and has less of an impact than they had hoped.

Ruby Rose does a good job as Daisy, effectively conveying the character’s cold and detached nature. Daisy is not given enough depth in the script, and as a result, she comes off as a one-dimensional action hero rather than a fully developed person. The movie has some gravitas thanks to Don Johnson’s portrayal of Liam, but his character’s arc is disappointingly underdeveloped. Sam is portrayed by Lucas Till in a lively but frequently cartoonish way that undermines any tension that the film tries to create.

The movie’s pacing and editing, which occasionally feel choppy, are a major flaw. The ability of the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story can be hampered by abrupt scene transitions. While other scenes linger on less important details, some crucial moments are rushed through, disrupting the rhythm and flow of the movie.

The way the topic of human trafficking is handled falls short of its potential in another way. The movie makes passing reference to this unsettling problem, treating it as little more than a setting for the action scenes. A chance was lost for the movie to offer a provocative commentary on the subject due to the lack of tact and nuance in handling such a delicate subject.

One of The Collective’s top assassins, the mysterious Nikita, is played by Mercedes Varnado, better known as WWE Superstar Sasha Banks. Sadly, Nikita’s personality mostly stays in the background, only helping to further the plot when necessary. Like many other characters in the movie, hers lacks the necessary exploration and development, which makes viewers feel distant from her role.

The Collective‘s action scenes, which offer some heart-pounding moments, are the movie’s saving grace. The characters’ deadly skills are highlighted in choreographed fight scenes and high-octane shootouts, which prevent the movie from becoming completely forgettable. These skillfully performed action sequences, however, are insufficient to make up for the weak overall plot and character development.

The Collective‘s production design and cinematography are good, but they don’t make the movie stand out from others of its kind. The movie’s moody, dark aesthetic fits, but the lack of visual interest keeps it from making an impression.

The Collective makes an effort to present an exciting story with a hint of mystery and intrigue. Ruby Rose’s performance is commendable, and the action sequences are skillfully executed, but the film’s lack of originality, weak character development, and underuse of its cast make for an unimpressive viewing experience overall. Assassins and human trafficking offer the potential for a compelling and thought-provoking story that hasn’t yet been told. Instead, the film veers into overused clichés, leaving viewers yearning for something more original and compelling.