‘Jolt’ Review: Kate Beckinsale Stars in an Exciting Action Thriller

“Jolt,” follows the misadventures of the aforementioned New Yorker, an unpredictably sturdy woman cursed with a rare neurological disorder that makes it impossible for her to manage her anger and control violent impulses triggered by irritating strangers. Truth be said, certain people in the film—from annoying man-spreaders on the train to pompous big wigs nasty to service staff—test one’s patience and may even deserve the sort of murderous anger Lindy feels compelled to spew at various times of the day. But, in order to survive in society and metropolis where rudeness is frequently the norm or, at most, background noise, Lindy is forced to undergo the painful experimental therapy that her enigmatic, rather patronizing psychiatrist Dr. Munchin (Stanley Tucci) appears to have devised. “This is not a cure,” he insists to Lindy about the electroshock vest she’s supposed to wear and trigger with a push of a button whenever she feels the desire to beat the living daylights out of someone. His cautions, however, go unheeded. Lindy, alone and forlorn, lavishly utilizes and abuses her daily allowance of the titular jolt to impede herself (but Wexler still shows us in terrible yet comic detail the type of violence Lindy fantasizes about in her brain), frequently needing an adjustment in the device’s dose levels.

Things start to look better for Lindy until the eccentric Justin (Jai Courtney) enters her life as a blind date, whom she initially dismisses but later warms up to. Could she be in for a chance at brief courting, romance, and marriage? Unfortunately, Justin does not stay long enough for Lindy to figure it out. After falling victim to a murky murder plan after a passionate night with Lindy and leaving her as the primary suspect, the high-powered lawyer abruptly departs the picture, sending a pair of detectives on her tail—Laverne Cox’s ferociously competent Nevin and Bobby Cannavale’s amusingly slack Vicars.

(Image source: thefilmstage.com)

Lindy takes matters into her own hands to clear her name and discover Justin’s killers, armed only with a random mix of physical talents and a unique condition that renders her fearless.

In that regard, “Jolt” delivers a pair of implausible twists and turns in its last act, aided by compellingly filmed combat sequences that hint at the scrappiness Wexler previously demonstrated with films like “Hysteria” and “Buffaloed.” Nonetheless, despite a clearly competent director at the helm and a more-than-game Beckinsale with proven genre chops, the film’s ultimately hollow action bores rather than intrigues. So much so that when the surprise that Wascha has up his sleeve eventually arrives with the confidence of a thunderbolt, it fizzles almost immediately, barely garnering a shrug instead of the shudder, it intends for.

It cannot be emphasized how spectacular a climax wrapped up in a bow may be, yet if a sequel to Jolt is released, it will not be totally unwanted. Jolt is an electrifyingly fantastic time. It’s utterly lovely and charming from start to finish, thanks in large part to a highly compelling lead performance by Beckinsale. Simply said, Beckinsale fans will like the actress in this role. This action thriller has the potential to be well-liked by genre aficionados, and it would make a good double feature with the original John Wick.

If you’re looking for a fun stupid movie to watch this weekend, I think Jolt is the one.

You can watch Jolt on Amazon Prime Video.