American Woman marks a powerful entry from writer/director Artie Siegel, delivering a tense, character driven revenge thriller that's as emotional as it is unflinching.
Katelin Stack shines as Dr. Molly Reese, a woman whose life is torn apart after a devastating car accident claims her entire family. Struggling with overwhelming grief and insomnia, she returns to work at the hospital only to find herself mistakenly caught in the crosshairs of a brutal mob war.
When mob boss Giovanni "Johnny Blades" Romano believes Molly is behind the death of one of his men, she becomes a target. But not everyone is convinced of her guilt Mikey "The Bull" Vito, played with charm and grit by Joe Rosing, emerges as a conflicted protector. As the threats close in, Molly is forced into a violent new reality, one that pushes her beyond the edge of who she thought she was. This has to be one of Joe Rosing most powerful performances.
What follows is a gripping and gritty transformation. Siegel's direction is intimate and intense, using a raw, handheld style that throws the viewer into Molly's unraveling world. His unique visual storytelling brings a sense of immediacy and realism, while the flashbacks skillfully reveal the contrast between the woman Molly was and the person she is becoming.
The film's strength lies in its stripped down style lean, character-focused, and emotionally charged. With clear influences from classic revenge tales like Death Wish, American Woman trades spectacle for sincerity, making every scene feel urgent and personal.
Backed by a talented cast, including Larry Biela and Sretenko Tenk Karic, the film doesn't just depict violence it explores what happens when grief and trauma are left to fester. And as Molly transforms, we're left questioning just how far someone can go before becoming unrecognizable.
American Woman is a bold, blood-soaked indie gem that grips you from the first frame and never lets go. Artie Siegel proves himself a filmmaker to watch, and this is one ride you won't want to miss.
