‘Amber Alert’ Review – An Endlessly Gripping “What Would You Do?” Scenario

Synopsis: An ordinary rideshare becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse when Jaq (Hayden Panettiere) and Shane (Tyler James Williams) receive an alert of a child abduction on their phones. Quickly realizing they are behind a car that matches the description of the kidnapper’s, Jaq and Shane desperately race against time to save the child’s life.

Who do you trust? While most will say specific family members or friends and a few will say, no one, in reality, we trust more people than we think. We trust other drivers not to crash into us, and restaurant employees to fully cook our food, and generally, we trust everyone around us to be fairly decent, we tend to overlook our everyday blasé experiences. While we may live in divided times, I’d like to believe that most people are decent. Unfortunately, some people are terrible and all we can do is keep our heads on a swivel and hope that if we need help, someone will jump into action like the characters in this film. We have to stick together.

“Where’s Charlotte?”

I hope your phone is charged and your gas tank is full because we’re going on an intense ride. You may never treat Amber Alerts the same way again. Directed by Kerry Bellessa, Amber Alert is an endlessly gripping “what would you do?” scenario. While other movies might find similarities to this one, Amber Alert sets itself apart by placing us in a real-life situation that unfortunately could easily unfold after you read this. As you find yourself at the edge of your seat rooting on our concerned citizens, Shane and Jaq as they intently follow a potential kidnapping car, you’ll wonder if you have the fortitude to do the same thing. What begins as suspicion with a collision of doubt and unflinching concern soon turns into a dangerous and gravely urgent journey that either results in the duo becoming heroes or dead in the middle of rural Kentucky.

What would you do if a child is snatched and is potentially in the car in front of you? Help is tied up and too far away, and you’re almost certain that the person you’re following is the assailant, but you’re unarmed and know for a fact they have a handgun. This aspect of the film works well and will speak to the audience because it’s easy to inject yourself into the scenario. Moreover, you’ll find the protagonists relatable. While one has more to lose than the other, they are eventually motivated by the same concept… We can’t let this kid down? And more than likely the thought of what if it was your kid? You’d want someone to go to the ends of the Earth to save your child if you weren’t able to. The film is all drama, all thrill, and perfectly walks the PG-13 because while it is dark and twisted in the third act, going darker would’ve been excessive.

“What if that is the one?”

You’re probably wondering if you can bring your kids to this movie, and I would say, yes. Amber Alert can be viewed as a cautionary tale and reminder not to talk to strangers. If you see it with friends or a potential partner, it’s also probably a good way to gauge what kind of people you surround yourself with. With its small cast, there’s no fluff, filler, or unnecessary subplots to take away from the action. It’s full tilt for most of the runtime. You will be fully invested in not only if Shane and Jaq can save Charlotte, but also the interpersonal bond that forms within Shane’s car. With its realistic moral compass and themes of parenting and duty, this is the most grounded thriller you’ll see this year. Not many films in this genre unravel in a way that is both theatrically exciting and realistic. It’s tense, it’s eerie, and just might make your palms sweat. Bellessa and company clearly have a gift for building tension. This is a perfect Friday night film. Its rewatchability is high.

Pace & Pop

The pace of this film couldn’t be any better. It wastes no time getting into the thick of things and continues at a thrilling pace until the credits roll. What popped for me was the very real and incredibly grounded chemistry between Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams. It was not only effortless but it’s exactly how two strangers would act in this sort of situation.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Hayden Panettiere, Tyler James Williams

The duo we didn’t know we needed. Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams are not only millennial royalty but fantastic in their roles as Jaq and Shane, respectively. Panettiere brings fire and fearlessness to Jaq while Williams’ Shane is level-headed and simply trying to mind his business because he has a pressing matter to attend to. Once these two strangers decide that doing the right thing is more important, they become an unrelenting force for good. As I said above, the chemistry between this duo is phenomenal. Watching them go from not knowing one another to building trust during a crisis is a sight to see. Buckle up!

Amber Alert releases in theaters and VOD on September 27, 2024. Stay safe and stay alert.

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 1h 30m Director: Kerry Bellessa Writers: Kerry Bellessa & Joshua Oram Producers: Joseph Restaino, Summer Bellessa, Tony Stopperan, Kerry Bellessa, Leal Naim Executive Producers: David Gendron, Ali Jazayeri, Omar Medina, David Amis, Jeanette Secor, Randal Narike, Lee Pitisci, Hayden Panettiere, Tyler James Williams