Close (2019)

Close has the rare confidence of an action thriller that doesn’t just hand its heroine a gun and call it empowerment—it earns every ounce of credibility through Noomi Rapace’s steely, lived-in performance as a protector who thinks three moves ahead. Director Vicky Jewson keeps the vibe tight and urgent, favoring gritty, close-quarters tension over glossy spectacle, so the danger feels immediate and the escapes feel hard-won. The relationship at the center—between a disciplined counter-terrorism expert and a young heiress suddenly forced to grow up fast—adds a human pulse beneath the adrenaline, while the sound design and sharp staging make each confrontation land with impact. If you’re looking for a smart, grounded chase movie with authentic female characters and no patience for nonsense, this one delivers; if you prefer big, quippy, larger-than-life action, it may feel more restrained than you’re used to.

Close is clearly aiming for a grounded, female-led protection thriller, with Noomi Rapace doing her best to sell a competent professional under pressure and a tense “on the run” setup. The problem is the movie plays like a checklist of familiar beats, with a script that rarely surprises and pacing/editing that can make the action feel more functional than gripping. It also flirts with shallow characterization and some uncomfortable, underexamined cultural choices that may pull you out of the story rather than deepen it. If you’re happy with a straightforward, serviceable chase movie and you’re mainly here for Rapace’s physical commitment, you’ll get something out of it; if you want smart plotting, emotional depth, or a truly satisfying payoff, this one may waste your time.