‘Guns Up’ Review
Stars: Kevin James, Christina Ricci, Luis Guzmán, Melissa Leo, Timothy V. Murphy | Written and Directed by Edward Drake
It’s not often that a modern independent action thriller surprises you in all the right ways, but Guns Up manages to do just that. Directed by Edward Drake, whose resume includes collaborations with Bruce Willis on films like the Detective Knight trilogy, this is a gritty, character-driven ride that not only fires on all cylinders but offers a surprising reinvention for one of its stars: Kevin James.
Yes, that Kevin James – the jovial, affable, sitcom everyman – takes a sharp left turn here and emerges as a legitimately compelling action lead. Playing Ry, a former cop turned mob enforcer trying to leave a violent life behind, James taps into the same well of unexpected menace and pathos that made his role in Becky such a revelation. While the movie isn’t interested in reinventing the wheel, it uses familiar genre beats, the one-last-job trope, criminal double-crosses, and family-in-danger stakes, with a grounded, sincere energy that makes it feel fresh.
Ry’s journey, prompted by a botched heist and the ruthless ambition of rival mob boss Lonnie Castigan (a convincingly sinister Timothy V. Murphy), becomes a ticking-clock thriller. What begins as an intimate family evening spirals into a violent, city-wide manhunt. At the film’s heart is Ry’s desire to protect his wife and children from the life he can no longer control, and that’s where Guns Up really hits its stride.
The cast is uniformly strong. Christina Ricci, as Ry’s wife, brings layered complexity to a role that slowly reveals unexpected strength and backstory. Her late-act transformation is believable and empowering, earning her some of the film’s best lines and standout scenes. Luis Guzmán provides quiet gravitas in a consigliere-like role, and Melissa Leo, though underused, lends the film a touch of prestige in her brief but memorable appearance.
The action is refreshingly grounded. There are brutal fistfights, close-quarters shootouts, and a brilliantly executed brawl between Ry and a hulking enforcer played by none other than professional wrestler Rusev (credited here as Miro). The fight choreography avoids the over-stylisation of “gun-fu” clichés and instead opts for a gritty, realistic approach that complements the story’s emotional stakes.
Not everything works perfectly. The pacing occasionally stumbles, and some twists feel overly telegraphed. A few character beats, particularly Luis Guzmán’s shift in tone during an early monologue, feel slightly off-key. But these are minor blemishes in what is otherwise an impressively executed, emotionally resonant crime drama.
Perhaps most impressively, Guns Up feels like a genuine level-up for Edward Drake. Known for workmanlike, occasionally uneven thrillers, here he shows tighter direction, stronger character focus, and a more coherent narrative structure. It’s the kind of film that makes you want to see what he’ll do next — and whether this cast might return.
In a cinematic landscape bloated with franchise fatigue and AI-assisted screenplays, Guns Up succeeds by doing something simple but increasingly rare: telling a familiar story with authenticity, energy, and heart. It may not be groundbreaking, but it’s thoroughly entertaining.
**** 4/5
Guns Up is on limited release in the US and available on digital, courtesy of Vertical Releasing.
