Close

Introduction

If you are looking for an action thriller with a badass battle-hardened feline, incredible fight scenes, and mystery against the backdrop of sights and sounds of beautiful Morocco then Close is the movie to watch. This 2019 movie is written by Vicky Jewson and Rupert Whitaker; directed by Vicky Jewson and produced by Rupert Whitaker, Vicky Jewson, and Jason Newmark. Noomi Rapace, Sophie Nelisse, and Indira Varma act as leads. Others include Eoin Macken, Akin Gazi, and Kevin Shen

Synopsis

Sam Carlson (Noomi Rapace) is a protection officer working for Close, a high-end security services company. Fresh from her last assignment escorting journalists through war-torn South Sudan, Sam is detailed to protect Zoe Tanner (Sophie Nelisse), the bratty daughter of recently deceased billionaire business tycoon Eric Tanner. Eric has left Zoe all his shares in his company — Hassine mining, a company founded by her stepmother’s family. Rima Hassine (Indira Varma), new CEO and Zoe’s step-mom is unhappy with this. She has ordered that Zoe accompany her to the family house while she concludes a deal for phosphate mines in Zambia. Rima has sacked Zoe’s former bodyguard because Zoe was sleeping with him and requested for a female bodyguard to escort her to Morocco.

After arriving at the heavily fortified family/safe house at dusk, Sam ensures Zoe is settled in before taking her leave but Zoe asks her to stay the night since the company has been paid for a full day. The safehouse security system is hacked and armed men attack and kill the head of security and several others. Sam gets Zoe out safely. They encounter policemen who claim they will take them to the police station but Zoe overhears them speaking Arabic indicating otherwise. Sam attacks and disarms the policemen but Zoe shoots and kills one of them. They both have to hide out at a hotel to evade police arrest and capture by the people that attacked the safehouse

Sam plans to get them out of the country. Unfortunately, the killing of the police officer complicates things with Sam’s employers and the Hassine deal. Conall (Eoin Macken), Sam’s former boss and lover comes with passports to enable 3 of them travel as a family and flee the country but they are attacked and Conall is killed. The attackers take the passports and try to kidnap Sam and Zoe but Sam is able to fight and kill the attackers and they escape in their van. Without passports, they are stranded and decide to go to Rima for help. At Hassine headquarters, they see Rima outside talking with one of the attackers and are immediately suspicious that she is behind the kidnap attempt. They follow him to a dock and Sam shadows him. When he recognizes her, they fight and fall into a reservoir where Sam kills him and takes his wallet. In the wallet, they find Rima’s log-in details.

Zoe and Sam are sure Rima is guilty and return to the safe house and log in with Rima’s details. They hope they can force Rima to help them by threatening to expose her. While in the control room, Sam and Zoe see a band of attackers enter the safe house. Rima arrives and is attacked by them. Zoe realizes Rima is innocent and runs out to help her locking Sam in. Luckily, Sam is able to recall the password in time to save them but is shot and injured in the process.

The movie ends with Zoe and Rima receiving treatment in an ambulance. Sam debriefs and makes to leave but Zoe extracts her promise to call her daughter that she gave up for adoption

Social Relevance

This movie touches on topics like Terrorism, Death & Grief, Money, Business, Kidnap & Blackmail, Security, Family Relationships, Friendship and Loyalty among others

Major Takeaways

• The past will keep haunting us until we make peace or do something about it

• The best things don’t necessarily go the most deserving

• Where lots of money are at stake, people will do unimaginable things

• It is not enough to protect someone. They must be taught to defend and/or protect themselves in any event

• Things are not always what they seem

• Everyone has a story and our past decisions always come back to haunt us

Conclusion

This movie has a good storyline with strong characters and scenic locations although there was a little confusion over who was actually behind the initial attack and whether all was a ploy to ensure Hassine did not get the contract

Have you watched Close? What are your thoughts?