In a movie that rings with echoes of Taken and First Blood, there is reason to be skeptical of Protector. However, those fearing a retread are mistaken. What begins as a callback evolves into something more provocative and profound. United by a gripping performance, this is a spin on a familiar yarn that takes it into new territory.
The film begins in quick succession: After the death of her husband, Nikki (Milla Jovovich), a veteran war hero, returns home to be with her daughter, Chloe (Isabel Myers). However, her reunion is abrupt when the violent past she left behind intersects with her peaceful life at home. Chloe falls victim to a human trafficking ring and forces Nikki into a hot pursuit. As the clock ticks, Nikki knows time is precious. She begins tearing through the ruthless crime syndicate, drawing the attention of both the police and the military. Relying on her military training, Nikki races to save her daughter, bringing her own version of war to the streets.
From the onset, I half thought Protector would follow down the Taken route—an ex-soldier in a race against time to save her daughter from a human trafficking ring. Then, when Matthew Modine pops up as Nikki’s old colonel, I thought I was seeing a soft repeat of a Rambo movie. And at least for the first half, the movie gives the impression of following the beats of other movies.
The film unfolds as we might expect given the premise. A renegade soldier brings a war to the streets to save her daughter, while her former commanding officer tries to quell the concerns of the police, setting out to stop her. However, by the time we reach act three, a clever twist arises that sets this entire film apart from similar plots. What begins as a callback to other movies ends up feeling more like Memento. What a shock, but also a welcome one.
Now, the film’s outcome will divide audiences. Still, insofar as Protector is a gritty story that puts the trauma soldiers endure on the battlefield front and center, the movie is a home run. Even amid the action and adrenaline rushes at the center of the film, the story is relevant. It weaves in a message about veterans’ needs and concerns. The inability to separate what happens on the battlefield from life back in the states is authentic, and Jovovich excels in this masterful performance.
In what is ultimately a singular character story, Jovovich deserves tremendous praise. She never plays Nikki as a caricature. She balances the action well, creating a character who is much less of a composite action hero and instead a battle-scarred veteran. Nikki is the emotional core of the film, and the story with her daughters allows for a deep attachment to the character’s journey. Powerful and riveting, I guarantee the movie will hit people with all the feels, which is surprising for an action thriller, but the story never dips in its emotional intensity.
Protector is well-rounded and packs quite a lot into its 90-minute runtime. There is never a feeling that the story is short-changed or that the action is overcompensating. It balances equal parts heart and adrenaline for a more than satisfying experience that tackles topics straight from the headlines. Diving into the sensitive subject of human trafficking, the movie works by never overindulging but instead keeping the focus on a mother’s quest and fury.
When I sat down to watch the film, I was unsure during the first bit. The story, while compelling, seemed too familiar. What kept me invested was Jovovich’s performance. Ultimately, the film surprisingly subverts expectations. The result is a provocative story. Protector is far from a run-of-the-mill action thriller, but something more profound that by the end leaves you aghast.
Protector is currently playing in theaters courtesy of Magenta Light Studios.
Protector is scheduled to be released on March 6, 2026 by Magenta Light Studios.
Powerful and riveting, I guarantee the movie will hit people with all the feels, which is surprising for an action thriller, but the story never dips in its emotional intensity.
Writing & podcasting, for the love of movies.
His Letterboxd Favorites: The Dark Knight, Halloween, Jaws & A Christmas Story.
