City of Love

If you like suspense and slow burn thrillers.

City of Love, released on December 19, 2023, is a film far removed from its seemingly saccharine title. Instead of romcoms, this psychological thriller, directed by Éric Boadella, takes viewers on a dark and suspenseful ride through the streets of Los Angeles through the eyes of a troubled ex-con. Produced by Rotten Apple Entertainment t and distributed by Freestyle Digital Media Releasing (Media Group and Circus Road Films), the film boasts a gritty story by Robert DeCesare and captivating performances that linger long after the final credits roll.

An anti-hero type character, Spencer reminds me of Michael Douglas in Falling Down, but played with a quirky comedic performance that makes the film noir atmosphere very enjoyable.

The film, directed by Èric Boadella, follows troubled ex-con Spencer, who drives for a ridesharing company in Los Angeles after forging the registration of his old red Chevy. He tries to reconnect with the world he lost after spending 20 years in jail for murdering his stepfather, but the more he drives, a string of bad experiences with his passengers leaves him feeling only more disconnected. When he falls in love with a passenger whose life eerily resembles that of his late mother, Spencer goes to dangerous and unnecessary lengths to protect her. As the tension escalates, Spencer finds himself entangled in a web of danger, love, and the unexpected.