I recently watched Protector (2025), an action thriller that follows Nikki, a former US soldier whose quiet life is turned upside down when her only daughter is kidnapped by a dangerous criminal group. With both the police and the military chasing her, Nikki is forced to return to the violent world she left behind. What follows is a race against time as she fights her way through the criminal underworld to save her child. Her only child. In the movie, she has been out of the chld's life for over fifteen years, despite losing her husband. She has devoted her life fighting the war she did not start. Funny thing is those who starts wars don't go to the battlefield neither their relatives.
The story is simple and familiar. If you have watched movies like Taken or John Wick, some parts of the plot may feel very similar. Still, the movie keeps moving, and there is enough action to keep you interested.
The cast did a decent job, especially Milla Jovovich, who plays Nikki. She brings energy to the role and handles the action scenes with confidence. You can feel the pain and determination of a mother who is willing to risk everything for her child. Matthew Modine and D.B. Sweeney also deliver solid performances, even though their characters are not deeply developed.
The movie was directed by Adrian Grünberg, who is known for making action films with rough and intense scenes. In Protector, he keeps the pace moving and does not waste much time on unnecessary side stories. The focus remains on Nikki's mission and the dangers she faces and, how she overcame.
As for the video quality, I enjoyed the dark and gritty look of the film. The camera work during some action scenes could have been better, and a few cuts felt rushed, but overall the movie looks good and gives off that tense action-thriller atmosphere.
Protector is not a movie that tries to reinvent action films. It follows a formula we have seen before, and some moments are predictable. However, it still manages to deliver enough suspense, fighting, and emotional moments to make it worth watching if you enjoy action movies a lot.
For me, this is one of those films you watch for entertainment rather than for a deep story. It is not perfect, but it is also not boring as I was fully entertained throughout.
My rating: 6.5/10. If you love stories about determination, revenge, and a parent willing to do anything to protect their child, then Protector (2025) is a movie you may want to add to your watchlist.
