"Contract to Kill": A Slow-Burning Action Thriller That Misses the Mark
Contract to Kill, released in 2016 and directed by Keoni Waxman, is an action thriller that stars longtime martial arts icon Steven Seagal as a covert operative caught in a web of global terrorism. With its international espionage plot, gunfights, and shadowy intrigue, the film attempts to blend modern counterterrorism themes with classic action tropes. However, despite its ambitions, the film struggles to find its footing, suffering from a sluggish pace, weak dialogue, and lackluster execution.
In the film, Seagal plays John Harmon, a former CIA/DEA enforcer who is pulled out of retirement for a high-stakes mission. The plot centers around a dangerous alliance forming between Islamic extremists and a Mexican drug cartel, who are allegedly planning to smuggle jihadists into the United States via the southern border. Harmon is tasked with assembling a small team to investigate and eliminate the threat before catastrophe strikes.
Joining Harmon are Zara Hayek (played by Jemma Dallender), a sharp and capable FBI agent with a personal stake in the mission, and Matthew Sharp (Russell Wong), a skilled combat pilot and former ally. Together, the trio travels between Istanbul and Mexico, tracking leads and engaging in intermittent skirmishes with cartel members and jihadist operatives. As they uncover the scope of the conspiracy, the team realizes the stakes are higher than they originally believed—and stopping the plot will require a return to ruthless methods.
Despite its promising premise, Contract to Kill falls short in several key areas. While Seagal has built a reputation on gritty action films and stoic heroes, his performance here lacks energy. He appears detached, delivering most of his lines in a monotone voice and participating in minimal physical action. The fight scenes, which should be a highlight in a Seagal movie, are brief, heavily edited, and mostly unremarkable.
The pacing of the film is another significant issue. Much of the runtime is spent on exposition-heavy dialogue and long stretches of surveillance scenes that do little to build suspense or develop character. The action sequences, when they arrive, are sparse and lack the intensity that fans of the genre expect. The film attempts to incorporate themes of modern-day geopolitics, but its execution feels superficial and at times confusing, with inconsistent plot development and minimal character depth.
Visually, the film is serviceable but uninspired. The cinematography captures the various international settings with competence, but the overall aesthetic feels generic. There is little in the way of distinctive style or flair that would set it apart from other low-budget action releases. The music, similarly, is forgettable and does little to elevate the tension or emotion of the scenes.
Ultimately, Contract to Kill is a film that may appeal only to die-hard Steven Seagal fans or viewers looking for a straightforward, undemanding thriller. With a better script, tighter pacing, and more engaging action, the film could have delivered on its premise. Unfortunately, it settles for mediocrity, leaving little impact and quickly fading from memory.