Film Review: Take Cover (2024) – Tense Sniper Thriller Starring Scott Adkins
Directed by stuntman‑turned‑filmmaker Nick McKinless, Take Cover is a gritty, claustrophobic action thriller set almost entirely within a luxurious all‑glass penthouse, where elite sniper Sam Lorde (Scott Adkins) and his spotter Ken (Jack Parr) find themselves under siege by a rival assassin while trapped with their handler’s gifts—a pair of masseuses—during what was meant to be Sam’s final “one last job”
The film begins with a disastrous hit that leaves Sam remorseful after accidentally killing an innocent woman trying to protect her companion. Haunted by guilt, he intends to retire but accepts one final assignment. Set up in a lavish Frankfurt penthouse suite by Tamara (Alice Eve), he and Ken soon realize Lucrative comfort is a trap when sniper fire begins raining through the glass
As bullets crack glass walls and mercenaries storm the suite, the group—including masseuses Mona and Lily—must use furniture, curtains, and sheer cunning to survive
The confined setting becomes a pressure cooker, where every move risks detection—and death.
McKinless, with a background in stunts (Andor, Game of Thrones), turns the one-room premise into high tension. Cinematographer Rick Joaquim uses every reflective surface and narrow corridor to heighten suspense. Small details—a flash from a sniper’s lens, the opening of blinds, or the click of a curtain—become moments of outright dread
Scott Adkins anchors the film with his toughest and most emotionally layered role yet, as Sam battles moral regret and the instinct to survive
Ken provides crude humor and camaraderie alongside him, while Mona’s presence adds emotional stakes
Alice Eve, heard more than seen, delivers an icy, chilling turn as the duplicitous voice of Tamara, hiding true intentions until late in the story
With a brisk 89‑minute runtime, Take Cover wastes no time. Action emerges in two dominant modes: tight‑space shootouts using improvised cover, and visceral melee inside an elevator—both showcase Adkins' martial prowess and McKinless’ staging skills
Though the plot leans on familiar “one‑last‑job” tropes, the confined setting provides fresh, edge‑of‑your‑seat tension
Beyond the gunfire, Take Cover explores the moral weight of a hitman’s life. Sam’s guilt over killing an innocent fuels a subtle philosophical thread about the value of a single life—and whether anyone is truly good enough to decide who lives or dies .
Take Cover has received mixed-to-positive reviews. The Guardian was critical of its clichéd setup and questionable logic but acknowledged Adkins' commitment . Conversely, outlets like FilmHounds and FilmAffinity praised the action and intensity, giving it 3–3.5/5 stars for delivering solid thrills and performances .
Take Cover isn’t reinventing action cinema—but it packs a punch within tight confines. With Scott Adkins bringing intensity and Nick McKinless leveraging every glass panel and bullet hole, the film delivers a taut, militaristic shootout and a surprising dose of moral weight. Recommended for fans of lean, high-stakes thrillers where every shot counts.
