Striking Distance
Directed by Rowdy Herrington
- crime
- action
- mystery
- thriller
The story
Demoted Pittsburgh cop Tom Hardy works river patrol while a serial killer targets women from his past, forcing him to conduct an unauthorized investigation to prove his innocence and expose a dirty cop.
What it’s like
Rain-slick river water, steel bridges, and grey Pittsburgh dusk give Striking Distance a damp, cold-steel look, shot with the glossy, slightly overlit sheen of early-1990s studio thrillers: sodium streetlamps, fluorescent precinct rooms, and the cool blue of night on the Allegheny. Camera work leans on steady tracking shots from boats and across crowded streets, with plenty of close, handheld-feeling coverage in tense interiors. The score is synth-tinged and driving, pushing forward when the chase tightens, while quieter scenes rely on dialogue and the hum of machinery. Its vibe is gritty, wry, and restlessly urban, a little pulpy and self-aware, suited to a rainy weeknight with the lights low or a late-night watch when you want momentum over mood. The pacing is brisk, with a stubborn, sardonic cop who is pushed out of his lane and ends up fighting to clear his name. Violence is moderate but present: several murders, some brutal scenes, bloodshed, and a fistfight or two, with dread and suspense more than gore. It is for viewers who enjoy old-school cop thrillers, tough banter, and a river-city setting.
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