Relentless (2018)

Relentless grabs you by the collar with a primal, pulse-quickening urgency: a mother’s desperate search that turns into a lean, hard-driving thriller with real emotional stakes. It’s the kind of movie that keeps tightening the screws scene by scene, balancing gripping suspense and bursts of action with performances that sell the fear, grit, and determination at its core. What makes it land is that it doesn’t treat human trafficking like a mere plot device—it gives the subject weight while still delivering the propulsive entertainment thriller fans crave. If you’re looking for something light or escapist, this may feel too intense, but if you want a powerful, relentlessly paced ride that keeps you watching, it’s an easy recommendation.

Relentless is clearly aiming for a tense, taken-style rescue thriller with a mother pushed to the edge, and the premise has the kind of urgency that should keep you glued to the screen. The problem is that the execution often feels flat: the pacing drags, the script doesn’t build suspense in a satisfying way, and several performances come off stiff or unintentionally awkward, which makes key moments frustrating instead of gripping. It can also feel muddled, like it’s stretching scenes to fill the runtime rather than escalating the danger and stakes. If you’re looking for a sharp, tightly plotted thriller, this likely isn’t it—but if you’re very forgiving about acting and just want a straightforward, low-budget rescue story, you might find a few serviceable moments.