Due Justice

Due Justice: A Gritty but Flawed Revenge Thriller

Due Justice (2023), directed by Javier Reyna and starring Kellan Lutz, is a grim, low-budget revenge thriller that tries to explore themes of justice, trauma, and vigilantism. With a familiar setup and a gritty tone, the film follows the classic revenge narrative: a peaceful man is driven to violence after a personal tragedy, but its execution falls short of delivering a compelling or fresh take on the genre.

The story centers on Max, a former Marine turned attorney living a quiet life in Seattle. His world collapses when a ruthless gang murders his wife and brother and kidnaps his daughter. With nothing left to lose, Max abandons his legal background and military discipline in favor of raw, brutal vengeance. Fueled by grief and rage, he tracks down the men responsible, stepping deeper into the shadows of his own morality.

Kellan Lutz takes the lead with physical presence and stoicism, though the character of Max remains emotionally underdeveloped. While Lutz tries to bring intensity to the role, the script gives him little depth or nuance to work with. Efren Ramirez plays Detective Santiago, a conflicted officer who serves as both ally and obstacle to Max. Jeff Fahey plays the film’s main villain, Ellis, with a sinister edge that provides occasional tension, though the overall conflict feels predictable.

The film is structured in a straightforward way, moving from tragedy to investigation to vengeance. It attempts to balance emotional drama with bursts of action, but the pacing is inconsistent. The first half is particularly slow, filled with exposition and dialogue that often feels stilted. When the action finally kicks in, the film struggles with low production value—fight scenes are clunky, editing is uneven, and the cinematography lacks flair.

One of the film’s biggest issues is its tone. It aims for seriousness and moral weight but falls into cliché territory. The script leans heavily on genre tropes: the haunted veteran, the broken system, the unstoppable killer fueled by justice. These elements are familiar in revenge cinema, and without a unique perspective or emotional grounding, they feel recycled. The dialogue is another weak point, often sounding unnatural and expository rather than authentic.

Visually, Due Justice has a dark, washed-out aesthetic that suits its mood but doesn't elevate the storytelling. The film attempts some emotional moments, particularly around Max’s grief and his bond with his daughter, but these moments are too brief or underdeveloped to land effectively. The final act, including the climactic confrontation, lacks tension and clarity, ending the film on a confusing and anticlimactic note.

Overall, Due Justice is a by-the-numbers revenge thriller that doesn’t quite live up to its dramatic ambitions. While it has some moments of tension and a solid performance from Kellan Lutz, the film is weighed down by its predictable plot, weak script, and uneven execution. For die-hard fans of gritty B-movie action or simple revenge stories, it might serve as a passable watch. For most viewers, however, it’s likely to be a forgettable experience.