Force of Nature (2020)
Force of Nature (2020)
Starring: Mel Gibson, Emile Hirsch, Kate Bosworth, David Zayas
Genre: Action / Thriller
Review
Force of Nature is a compact action-thriller set against the chaos of a Category 5 hurricane hitting Puerto Rico. As the city evacuates, a group of armed criminals targets an abandoned apartment building to steal hidden valuables—unaware that not everyone has left.
Mel Gibson stars as Ray Barrett, a stubborn, battle-hardened retired cop who refuses to evacuate. What begins as a routine robbery quickly turns deadly when Ray becomes an unexpected threat. Emile Hirsch plays a young police officer assigned to evacuation duty, who ends up trapped inside the building and forced to team up with Ray as the storm and the criminals close in.
Rather than relying on large-scale spectacle, the film focuses on tight spaces, close-quarters gunfights, and escalating tension. The hurricane functions as a pressure cooker—power outages, flooding, and structural damage constantly raise the stakes. While the storm visuals are limited, the atmosphere remains tense and claustrophobic.
The film’s biggest strength is Mel Gibson’s presence. His character isn’t fast or flashy, but his experience and grit make him dangerous. The story itself is straightforward and predictable, and the villains lack depth, but the brisk pacing keeps the film engaging.
Highlights
Strong, gritty performance from Mel Gibson
Claustrophobic setting that sustains tension
Solid close-range action and shootouts
Effective use of a natural-disaster backdrop
Final Verdict
6.2/10Force of Nature doesn’t break new ground, but it delivers a serviceable, tense action thriller driven by atmosphere and a veteran lead performance. Best suited for fans of contained, survival-style action films.
