DANGEROUS (2021) – Redemption Is a Loaded Gun

He’s not a hero, he’s not a villain—he’s just the wrong man to cross on the worst day of your life

Dangerous (2021) is an action thriller that walks the tightrope between redemption and destruction, starring Scott Eastwood as a reformed sociopath with a dark past and a tightly wound present. Directed by David Hackl, the film offers a gritty blend of character-driven drama, suspenseful mystery, and bullet-sprayed violence—all orbiting around one unstable man trying to outrun who he was… and who he might still be.

Eastwood plays Dylan Forrester, a paroled ex-con with a heavy psychological record, constantly monitored by a psychiatrist and numbed by medication. When his brother dies under suspicious circumstances, Dylan breaks parole and sets out for a remote island where the funeral is taking place. But what starts as an attempt to quietly mourn spirals into a blood-soaked siege as mercenaries descend on the island, searching for something hidden—and willing to kill for it.

What makes Dangerous stand out isn’t just the action, but the psychological undercurrents beneath it. Dylan is a fascinating antihero: calm, cold, and analytical—like a restrained Hannibal Lecter with combat training. His internal struggle, managed through frequent check-ins with a hilariously overwhelmed psychiatrist (played by Mel Gibson), gives the film a dry, ironic tone that plays well against the violence. Eastwood’s brooding presence anchors the film, making you root for someone you’re not even sure you trust.

The film blends styles: part Die Hard-style survival thriller, part neo-noir mystery, and part character study. The isolated island setting creates tension, while the slow reveal of the antagonists’ motives adds a layer of intrigue. Though the pacing occasionally stumbles and some characters feel thin, the core of the film—Dylan’s battle with both his enemies and his own nature—keeps it engaging.

Supporting performances by Kevin Durand, Tyrese Gibson, and Famke Janssen round out a cast that adds both menace and levity to the proceedings. And while Dangerous may not reinvent the action genre, it leans into its premise with confidence, giving us a protagonist who’s as much a puzzle as the mystery he’s trying to solve.

For fans of lone-wolf thrillers, dark humor, and morally complex characters, Dangerous (2021) is a rough-edged ride worth taking. It reminds us that sometimes, the most dangerous enemies are the ones inside—and that redemption often comes at gunpoint.