‘Wire Room’ Review

Stars: Kevin Dillon, Bruce Willis, Oliver Trevena, Texas Battle, Amber Townsend, Cameron Douglas, Shelby Cobb | Written by Brandon Stiefer | Directed by Matt Eskandari

Just how unlucky can someone get? That’s the question for Special Agent Justin Rosa (Kevin Dillon), arriving late for his first day on wire room duty. After being chewed out by surly superior Shane Mueller (Bruce Willis), the necessary exposition is shared about Justin’s role; to monitor and keep alive arms-smuggler Eddie Flynn (Oliver Trevena).

After examining the rules that he must follow, Justin is bored by the slow-moving pace of the job. As he leaves to use the bathroom, that’s the exact moment a SWAT team descend on Eddie’s home to execute everyone inside. Justin panics upon returning as he sees the chaotic situation and breaks protocol by contacting Eddie directly to save his life.

Despite constant attempts to right the situation, Justin is struggling with how things spiral as his choices worsen matters. Coincidence and bad luck are the plots driving forces, with the most egregious example being the random introduction of a key cartel figure whose identity is long desired by the protagonists. If Justin took his time to make level-headed decisions, the plot likely would have stalled.

As people with opposing morals are forced to cooperate from their confined locations, the promise for claustrophobic and compelling material feels out of reach. From the limp action to Brandon Stiefer’s screenplay, and especially the underwhelming performances involving cast members delivering ear-scraping accents and grunting through cliched lines, it’s difficult to invest in such pedestrian material.

*½ 1.5/5

Wire Room is out now in the US, Germany, Australia and more international markets. The film is released on DVD in the UK on April 24th, courtesy of High Fliers.