The Stoic

We start and stay in the British countryside. This is very British, very macho. A bunch of paramilitary type blokes lead by Brace (Rocci Boy Williams) are holed up in a rural country pile owned by Carlisle (Jason Flemyng). It's clear there's tension in the group from the start. They've just pulled off a job acquiring some drugs, but it wasn't smooth. Carlisle wants them out as soon as possible, he's just doing Brace a favour. They're a dislikable lot, but that's the point. They're going to get what they deserve at the hands of The Stoic (Scott Wright), a chap with a calling. He reports to Mother (Carol Holt), a kind of puritanical cult leader who likes to punish people with medieval torture. The gang have two women, drugs mules (Mia Vore & Anka Evens) that they've taken along with the drugs, locked up in the stables and this is what draws the attention of The Stoic. There's a good dose of folklore. The Stoic's it's explained are, let's simplify this, descendants of ancient Scottish enforcers, who wear bonnets. The modern day incarnation to protect those who need protection. The gang only have to deal with one, but he's a handful and sure enough, before long he's picking them off. I won't lie some of the acting is a bit wooden, the dialogue stunted. Lots of overly thoughtful frowning. It does plod a little too. I had a chuckle as one henchman pleads "Oh Christ have you finished?" before he's dispatched. There's a lot of chatter that frankly doesn't go anywhere, it's just killing time before the next killing. Honestly it could do with a lighter touch in places, a little dark humour perhaps, some kind of ebb and flow. It does keep on track though, it's simple, doesn't get too complicated. As the body count rises and the gang get spooked, their boss Rhodes (Bruce Payne) is called. He knows all about The Stoic's and wants to bag one. It's nicely shot, scored well. The location is perfect with plenty of foley scope for ominous crow calls and shrieking foxes. It knows to keep the most annoying characters around to be killed last. Honestly I couldn't wait for one particular bloke to get a good kicking. Things do come unstuck a bit as it reaches its conclusion though. Brace seems to have a personality switch and there's a somewhat unexplained twist that doesn't really sit with the rest of the film. I'm watching this because someone I know is starring. Otherwise this would completely pass me by. Small independent productions like this really struggle to get eyes on them, but despite there being some good ideas here, it does limp toward the end. Wright and Vore stand out, as does Flemying and it's worth a watch if you like dark, gritty, independently produced moody British cinema.

This is a good concept, but very poorly executed and acted. It's hard to understand the context at first, and the acting is just bad in most parts. JF is good, but obviously not affordable for any significant time. The Stoic could be a strong character, but the performance lacks any charisma and feels cardboard. It is trying to be edgy and dark, but the lead character performance just can't give that edge, feels too fake. The script / direction is too inconsistent and the main character is weak.

Don't waste your time. It's one of those movies that you want to get into, and you hope it does something to spark your interest, but it never does.

The Stoic's peace is interrupted when two women try to escape from a gang of men near his place. They are recaptured and The Stoic sets off to rescue them. The Stoic is one of many Stoics in a legendary secret clan.

This is a British action indie. The idea of The Stoics could be something interesting. This movie has that, but nothing else. I expected lots of action. Nope. Whatever action there is, it is all pretty weak. The acting is also weak, but that's more expected. It didn't make sense that all these men are guarding two little women. There is a small reveal and none of that makes sense. Finally, there is the hot tub in their hideout. It's weird. It's even weirder that it sits two.

In a world often dominated by empty blockbuster spectacles and CGI-laden epics, it's refreshing to encounter a film that dares to be small, savage, and stark. The Stoic is a testament to the power of a lean script, strong performances, and a brutal, unforgiving landscape.

One of the film's greatest strengths is its ability to achieve so much with so little. Despite a modest budget, The Stoic delivers a visually satisfying and immersive experience. The cinematography is excellent, capturing the raw beauty and unforgiving nature of the landscape. The mirror between the desolate wasteland and the characters creates a palpable sense of tension and isolation.

The film's lean script is another major asset. There's no excess baggage here, no unnecessary plot points or convoluted subplots. Every scene serves a purpose, driving the narrative forward and deepening our understanding of the characters. The dialogue is spare and direct, reflecting the harsh realities of the world they inhabit.

The performances are uniformly excellent. Everyone is equally impressive, providing depth and nuance to their roles.

But it's the film's unflinching mood that truly makes it stand out. The Stoic creates its own world, with its own rules and doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of that world. There are moments of violence that may not be for everyone - indeed, it's not a film for everyone - but they are never gratuitous. Instead, they serve to underscore the uncompromising nature of the narrative.

In conclusion, The Stoic is a gritty, uncompromising gem that deserves to be seen. It's a film that reminds us of the power of storytelling, the importance of a lean script, and shows what real professionals can do with a limited budget. It's a must-see for fans of independent cinema and those who appreciate a film that dares to be different from the bland mainstream.

Well what can I say I have been waiting for this film to come out and has been well worth the wait

It had me gripped from start to finish

I absolutely loved it

This film kept me captivated with its darkness and very good plot

The location, costumes , hair and makeup were just perfect

The performances from Jason Flemyng , Bruce Payne and Scott Wright were spectacular

It's 💯 a must watch I loved it and can not wait for the next one well done to everyone one involved just exceptional

Just beautifully executed not sure how it's managed to get a 1 star rating must of been watching a different film.