The Doorman

The Doorman (2020)

Is an action-thriller film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, known for his stylish and often intense filmmaking. The movie stars Ruby Rose in the lead role as Ali Gorski, a former U.S. Marine struggling with post-traumatic stress after a mission goes horribly wrong. Jean Reno plays the main antagonist, Victor Dubois, an art thief with a cold and calculated demeanor. The film follows a familiar but energetic structure, drawing inspiration from classics like Die Hard, placing a lone, skilled woman in a closed-off environment where she must protect innocent lives against a group of dangerous criminals.

The story begins with Ali's failed mission in Bucharest, where she loses her team and a diplomatic family under her protection. Traumatized, she returns to civilian life and takes a quiet job as a doorman at a luxury New York apartment building. However, she soon discovers that the building is not as safe as it seems. When her brother-in-law and his two children—who also live there—become targets of a group of armed thieves, Ali is forced to confront her past and fight back.

Victor Dubois and his team infiltrate the building to steal priceless art hidden behind the walls. Their operation is helped by Borz, a corrupt doorman and former colleague of Ali, who betrays the staff and helps the thieves gain access. As the residents are taken hostage, Ali becomes the building’s only hope. Using her military training, knowledge of the building’s layout, and quick thinking, she engages in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the intruders. She crafts makeshift weapons, sets traps, and slowly takes down the mercenaries one by one.

Ruby Rose portrays Ali with a mix of stoicism and grit, relying more on physical presence than emotional depth. Jean Reno, while somewhat underused, brings a sense of sophistication to his villainous role. Aksel Hennie plays Borz with a menacing edge, making him a believable traitor and formidable opponent. The film includes several tense sequences, including elevator fights, explosive traps, and stealthy ambushes, all set within the confined and claustrophobic halls of the apartment complex.

Thematically, The Doorman touches on redemption, trauma, and familial bonds, but it doesn’t explore these deeply. Instead, it leans heavily on action and suspense. The cinematography is sleek, and the pacing is brisk, although some scenes feel repetitive. Critics gave the film mixed to negative reviews, citing its predictable plot and reliance on genre clichés. Nevertheless, for fans of action films with lone-hero narratives, it offers a serviceable, if not groundbreaking, experience.

In conclusion, The Doorman is a formulaic but fast-paced action film that benefits from Ruby Rose’s physical performance and Ryuhei Kitamura’s stylistic direction. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it delivers enough tension and fight sequences to satisfy viewers looking for a straightforward, adrenaline-fueled thriller.