The Rhythm Section is a 2020 action thriller directed by Reed Morano and written by Mark Burnell, based on Burnell’s novel of the same name. The film stars Blake Lively, Jude Law, and Sterling K. Brown, and follows a woman named Stephanie Patrick, who embarks on a personal journey for vengeance after her family is killed in a plane crash. The film blends elements of spy thrillers, action, and psychological drama, focusing on themes of grief, revenge, and redemption. Despite its intriguing premise, The Rhythm Section struggles to fully deliver on its potential, offering moments of tension but ultimately falling short in terms of pacing and emotional depth.

The story begins with Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively), a woman who has lost everything after a terrorist attack leads to the crash of a plane her family was on. Devastated by her grief, she turns to a life of self-destruction and despair. However, after discovering that the crash was not an accident, but a deliberate attack, she decides to seek vengeance. Her journey leads her into the world of espionage, where she meets a former MI6 agent (Jude Law) who trains her to become a lethal operative. As she delves deeper into the world of assassination and covert operations, she must confront her own inner demons while attempting to bring those responsible for her family’s death to justice.

Blake Lively’s performance as Stephanie Patrick is one of the film’s strongest aspects. She takes on a complex and physically demanding role, transitioning from a grieving widow to a determined and skilled assassin. Lively captures the emotional turmoil of her character effectively, portraying both vulnerability and strength. However, the film’s script and pacing often make it difficult for her to fully express the depth of her character’s emotional journey, and at times, her transformation from a broken woman to a hardened operative feels rushed.

One of the central themes of The Rhythm Section is the psychological toll that grief and revenge take on a person. As Stephanie trains to become an assassin, the film explores her internal struggle and the consequences of her pursuit of vengeance. While this theme has potential for rich emotional storytelling, the film sometimes falters in balancing its action sequences with the deeper psychological exploration of Stephanie’s character. The emotional weight of her grief is often overshadowed by the film’s action-driven plot, which makes it harder for the audience to connect with her on a deeper level.

The action sequences in The Rhythm Section are intense, but they are not as polished or innovative as other films in the spy genre. The film’s pacing feels uneven, with some action scenes feeling disjointed or forced. While the training montages and subsequent combat scenes attempt to show Stephanie’s growth as a fighter, they don’t always feel grounded or realistic. The choreography of the fight scenes lacks the finesse of more established action films, which detracts from the film’s overall tension. Additionally, the film’s reliance on action, without sufficient emotional build-up, weakens its impact.

Jude Law, playing the ex-spy and trainer to Stephanie, offers a solid performance but is somewhat underutilized. His character serves as a mentor figure, but his role in the story feels secondary to Lively’s. The chemistry between Law and Lively is competent, but the script doesn’t delve deeply into their relationship, and as a result, the dynamic feels somewhat superficial. Sterling K. Brown also appears in a supporting role, adding some intrigue to the plot, but his character, like others, is not fully fleshed out.

In conclusion, The Rhythm Section is an ambitious thriller that ultimately struggles to live up to its potential. While Blake Lively delivers a strong performance and the film touches on intriguing themes of grief and revenge, it falls short in terms of pacing, action, and emotional depth. The film’s reliance on action over character development prevents it from becoming a truly impactful or memorable entry in the spy thriller genre. Despite its flaws, The Rhythm Section may still appeal to fans of action films or those looking for a female-led thriller, but it is unlikely to leave a lasting impression.