Peppermint (2018)

Peppermint is the kind of lean, bruising revenge thriller that knows exactly what it wants to be: a cathartic, high-tempo ride powered by Jennifer Garner’s fierce, locked-in performance. She sells the grief and the grit so convincingly that even when the story leans into pulpy genre territory, you’re still invested in every hard choice and close call. The action comes sharp and dynamic, staged with a no-nonsense momentum that keeps the movie moving like a clenched fist, and it delivers the simple pleasure of watching a determined underdog refuse to be erased. It’s not for viewers looking for moral ambiguity or subtle social commentary, but if you want a serviceable, entertaining vigilante thriller with real commitment at its center, this one hits the target.

Peppermint is aiming for a lean, cathartic vigilante revenge ride, built around a mother’s grief turning into ruthless payback. The problem is it plays like a greatest-hits compilation of better thrillers, with clunky dialogue, familiar beats, and a tone that stays grim without finding much tension or personality. It also leans into ugly, stereotype-driven villainy that can feel not just dated but actively uncomfortable, making the violence harder to enjoy as “escapism.” If you’re looking for something sharp, original, or thoughtfully grounded, this probably isn’t it—but if you can tolerate a formulaic, rough-edged revenge fantasy, Jennifer Garner’s committed performance may be the main reason to stick around.