‘Long Gone Heroes’ Review
Stars: Frank Grillo, Eden Brolin, Melissa Leo, Andy Garcia, Mekhi Phifer, Beau Knapp, George Carroll, Josh Hutcherson, Juan Pablo Raba | Written by John Swab, Santiago Manes Moreno | Directed by John Swab
Long Gone Heroes is an action thriller directed by John Swab, this being his fifth collaboration with the always-awesome Frank Grillo. As well as boasting some more notable cast including, Josh Hutcherson, Eden Brolin, Melissa Leo, Andy Garcia, and Mekhi Phifer. Set against the politically volatile backdrop of Venezuela, it follows a former special forces soldier, Gunner (Grillo), who is drawn back into action to rescue his kidnapped niece, Julia (Brolin), a journalist entangled in a web of corruption involving oil smuggling, private military contractors, and high-level political figures. You know, that old chestnut. Clocking in at 1hr 40 this seems to be longer than many similar direct-to-video action flicks, though never really feels too long as it attempts to blend gritty action with a deeper commentary on corruption and redemption. But does it succeed in elevating itself beyond the typical low-budget action fare? Let’s dive in.
Gunner (Grillo), a grizzled ex-special forces operative who has turned his back on his country, faith, and hope after years of witnessing the dark underbelly of war. Living a reclusive life, he’s reluctantly pulled back into the fray when his niece, Julia, a defiant young reporter, has been kidnapped in Venezuela while investigating a shady oil-smuggling operation that violates U.S. sanctions. Her mother, Olivia (Melissa Leo), a U.S. senator and Gunner’s sister coerces him into leading a rescue mission, leveraging his emotional ties to Julia.
Gunner assembles a ragtag team of mercenaries: West (Beau Knapp), Matty (George Carroll), and David (Josh Hutcherson), a tech-savvy newcomer. They’re joined in Venezuela by Guapo (Juan Pablo Raba), a local contact with a cold exterior but a loyal streak. The mission quickly escalates as they uncover a sprawling conspiracy involving drug lord Roman (Andy Garcia), his ruthless enforcer Moreao (Mekhi Phifer), and Olivia’s own complicity in the illegal operation, supposedly set up to keep Venezuelan oil out of Russian and Chinese hands.
The first half of Long Gone Heroes builds the stakes slowly, emphasizing the chaotic state of Venezuela and the personal dynamics of the team. The second half explodes into action, with gunfights, explosions, and a climactic brawl between Gunner and Moreao, who share a murky past. The resolution sees Gunner and his team fighting their way to a boat for escape, but not without losses and a bittersweet reflection on their efforts.
Frank Grillo anchors the film as Gunner, and this role feels tailor-made for him. Known for his rugged charisma in films like Boss Level and The Purge series, Grillo brings a stoic intensity that is everything this film needs as he portrays the disillusioned soldier. He’s at his best in the action sequences, exuding control and competence, but the script also gives him moments of vulnerability, particularly in his interactions with Julia and Hutcherson’s David, both hinting at a deeper performance than the genre typically demands. Full disclosure, I am completely biased in my love of Frank Grillo but even I have to admit this is one of his strongest leading roles in recent years.
Josh Hutcherson surprises as David, the tech guy who proves his mettle in the field. Fresh off action-heavy supporting roles like The Beekeeper, Hutcherson adds a layer of earnestness and quiet strength to what could have been a throwaway character. His subplot about a missing father feels underdeveloped, but his presence injects some youthful energy and harmony into the otherwise grizzled crew.
Eden Brolin’s Julia is a mixed bag. She’s convincingly defiant and brave as the kidnapped reporter, but her screen time is limited, and her character serves more as a plot device than a fully fleshed-out figure. Melissa Leo and Andy Garcia, despite their billing, have minimal roles. Leo brings gravitas to Olivia in the opening scenes, hinting at a morally compromised politician, but she largely disappears after the setup. Garcia’s Roman is a standard-issue villain, sleazy and menacing, but a touch underutilised, meaning Garcia has to chew the scenery like an absolute bad ass when we do see him. Then there is Phifer’s Moreao stealing the spotlight as the more immediate threat against our team.
The supporting cast, including George Carroll as Matty, Beau Knapp as West and Juan Pablo Raba as Guapo. Carroll’s rough-around-the-edges charm, Knapps quiet and unflinchingly cool demeanour make this duo the MVPs of the movie. Raba makes a superb addition to the squad moving from cold-blooded to loyal in the blink of an eye, though their arcs are predictable the cast does a lot of heavy lifting in making our team the beating compelling heart of the movie.
John Swab’s direction is a double-edged sword. He clearly aims to elevate Long Gone Heroes beyond a mindless bullet-fest, taking time in the first hour to establish the setting and characters. The Venezuelan backdrop feels gritty, with cinematographer Brandon Cox capturing the tension of crowded streets and jungle skirmishes effectively. The action, when it arrives, is practical and well-staged, favouring real stunts over CGI, which gives it a visceral edge reminiscent of ‘80s and ‘90s action flicks. Thematically, Swab seems to want to say something about corruption, the cost of war, and redemption, but these ideas kinda remain surface-level. The conspiracy involving oil, cartels, and government collusion is intriguing but a little muddled. At times It’s as if the film can’t decide whether to be a gritty throwback or a more ambitious political statement, and it ends up walking a fine line on both.
The action sequences are the highlight, delivering on the promise of a “good guys vs. evil monsters” showdown. The villains are cartoonishly wicked, Moreau burns people alive and threatens babies, but this simplicity works in the context of a genre that thrives on clear stakes. The final act, with its boat escape and hand-to-hand combat, feels like a nod to classics like Commando or Rambo, though I will say lacks the iconic punch of those films. Grillo vs Phifer is an absolute crowd pleaser though and is given all the time it needs to breathe.
Long Gone Heroes is a solid addition to the action thriller genre. Frank Grillo shines as a classic action hero, the practical stunts and Venezuelan setting give it a gritty appeal. The cast is strong, even if some are underused, and the second half delivers enough firepower to satisfy fans of the genre. For fans of Grillo (that’s me) or low-budget actioners (also me), it’s a worthwhile watch, better than many other efforts.
****½ 4.5/5
Long Gone Heroes is available on Digital Platforms in the Uk now and comes to DVD 7 April, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. You can also check out our review of the film from its US VOD debut right here.
