22 Bullets
Directed by Richard Berry
- drama
- crime
- thriller
The story
A retired mobster goes on a revenge spree after being left for dead with 22 bullets in his body by his former childhood friend.
What it’s like
Sun-bleached Marseille streets, harbour light flattening into grey, and dim interiors lit by lamps and sodium glare give this crime thriller a grimy, weathered look. The camera stays close and restless during chases and confrontations, while quieter scenes in bars, flats and cemeteries settle into worn, tobacco-stained stillness. The score leans on driving, percussive rhythms that push the momentum forward. The mood is hard-edged and melancholic, with a faded, world-weary charm around its ageing gangster. Its pacing is brisk and episodic, with the revenge escalating in set pieces and a steady undercurrent of grief and loyalty. Violence is frequent and central: shootings, bloody beatings, and a kidnapping thread, with real menace and some brutal moments, though it stays more physical than gory. It suits a late-night watch for viewers who enjoy a tough, stylish crime film with a strong lead performance, and it is not a gentle choice.
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