Synopsis:
The 2019 British action-thriller “Close” is directed by Vicky Jewson, who co-wrote the film with Rupert Whitaker. “Close” takes inspiration from the life of Jacquie Davis, one of the top female bodyguards in the world, as the film seeks to portray the domain of private security from a woman’s perspective. Netflix’s Close features Noomi Rapace as Sam Carlson, a resolute bodyguard embroiled in a deadly conspiracy.
The film begins with Sam Carlson protecting a group of journalists in a war-torn area. Right from the first scene, it is clear that the character is capable, tough, and emotionally closed off. Instead of the sleek, suit-clad, and polished bodyguards that male-dominated action films portray, Sam Carlson is far from refined. She is a woman who has faced battle and hardship, and the warmth of her character is both earned and well represented by her real-life counterpart.
This time, Sam’s responsibility is to safeguard Zoe Tanner (Sophie Nélisse), the child heiress of a multimillion-dollar mining empire. Following the abrupt passing of her billionaire father, Zoe is now under the guardianship of her stepmother Rima Hassine (Indira Varma), the current head of the company. Zoe, a privileged emotionally capricious teenager, remains oblivious to the perilous world her fortune thrusts her into.
Sam is goal-oriented, frostily professional, and unbendable, while Zoe is headstrong, sheltered, and angsty. Distaste for each other is mutual and, at least for the time being, perfectly symmetric. Everything changes, however, when a botched kidnapping at the family’s well-protected estate in Morocco escalates into a full-blown crisis. Zoe comes perilously close to death, and in the process of saving her, Sam steps into a whirlwind of chaos. Together, they plunge into a cross-country mad dash, escaping pursuers and piecing together a deadly conspiracy.
The developments in the story reveal a sinister twist: Zoe is not simply a helpless pawn, targeted by mercenaries for a contract payment. There are more sinister, political and corporate undercurrents to the attempts on her life. Amidst Zoe’s corrupt business rivals, treacherous members of the security detail, and countless concealed plots, Zoe and Sam have no choice but to rely on one another.
During Sam and Zoe’s perilous journey, Sam opens up emotionally and fights to protect Zoe. Their relationship develops from hostility to mutual respect and understanding. Zoe offers Sam a guide through her traumatic past, and in return, Zoe learns to endure and embrace strength from Sam’s unwavering resilience.
By the film’s conclusion, the women face external enemies alongside internal battles of fear and self-imposed limitations. The conclusion approaches from a transformative lens, incorporating physical, emotional, and the power of unexpected bonds.
Cast & Characters:
Noomi Rapace as Sam Carlson
Her performance exhibits both emotional depth and physical intensity. Noomi is known for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Prometheus, and she portrays Sam with fierce realism. Sam is a skilled action heroine, and unlike most women in action movies, she is not overtly sexualized or glamorized. In fact, she is depicted as stoic and deeply, haunted by her past. Sam is an action heroine, a rare character who is skilled and not sexualized or glamorized.
Sophie Nélisse as Zoe Tanner
Best known for The Book Thief, Nélisse plays Zoe with a layered vulnerability. While her character starts off as self-centered and immature, her character arc is one of maturation. Zoe grows to become resilient, brave, and learn to appreciate herself through her relationship with Sam.
Indira Varma as Rima Hassine
Rima, who is Zoe’s stepmother as well as the head of the mining company, is a morally ambiguous character. Varma adds to the character’s corporate intrigue as well as maternal ambiguity with her strong performance, further deepening the story’s ambiguity.
Eoin Macken as Conall
Conall, who is a former colleague of Sam’s, adds a twist of betrayal and conflict into the story. His character’s addition deepens the backstory to Sam and her distrust for the security world she used to work in.
Direction & Style:
Vicky Jewson, the director, brings a documentary feel to the action sequences, grounding them in reality. The combat scenes are shot from a ranging close up to an intense and brutally fierce angle, as opposed to the awkwardly rehearsed violence common in many action films. The stylistic choices, The Bourne Identity and Sicario, focus on raw, unpolished action, as opposed to showing off for the camera.
With dynamic camerawork and earthy tones, the cinematography captures Morocco beautifully. The real-word places add to the film’s realism and heightens the tension, showcasing the characters’ fragility, particularly when Sam and Zoe are fleeing.
Jewson’s vision with Rapace’s physical acting brought to life a unique lection female action films. Rather than succumbing to the boredom of trope-filled stick figure leads, Jewson and Rapace created believable characters that use intellect and tactics to get through challenges. The film refuses to caricature the leads.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
Closed holds an IMDb rating of 5.7/10, showcasing a respectful reception, but mixed. The critics seemed to split into two camps, blaming the film’s thin plot and shallow secondary characters while praising Noomi Rapace’s acting and clamoring for more female stories in the action genre.
Fans of realism and a no-nonsense, tough female lead were embraced by the grounded nature of Close. The film may tackle protection, betrayal, and survival but these concepts are executed with an anchored, character-driven lens, prioritizing real tension rather than hollow dazzle.
Praise for the film’s depiction of the close protection industry’s hyper-fidelity to detail has earned it a unique set of bodyguard cinematic comparisons such as Bodyguard or Man on Fire. Close differs, however, in that it centers on the protector’s psyche and the trauma they undergo.
Themes and Analysis:
Empowered Women in Male’s World:
As a female bodyguard, Sam Carlson portrays the struggles of women in a high-profile, male-dominated field. While her emotional walls denote the cost of thriving within such a space, her competencies are never doubted. Both Sam and Zoe need to confront and redefine their perceived liabilities and outsider status on their own terms.
Healing and Trauma:
The weight of loss and violence Sam has endured manifests in the grim, emotionless mask she wears. Accompanying Zoe, however, becomes a means of slow healing. The film demonstrates the capability for shared hardship to forge empathy and illustrates that protection can be both physical and emotional.
Trust and Betrayal:
At the center of Close is the corporate betrayal, political greed, and personal deceit conspiracy. Sam and Zoe are in a constant struggle trying to figure out who is genuinely trustworthy. This plays into the notion that, more often than not, the worst danger tends to be from the inside, from people and groups you’re acquainted with, as opposed to clear enemies.
The Coming of Age Through Adversity:
Zoe’s transformation from a pampered heiress to a self-reliant survivor of adversity is in itself a classic coming of age tale. Unlike other coming of age stories, her transformation is fueled by authentic grit: enduring violence, brushing against death, and the need to learn self-defense.
Closing Remarks:
Close is a refreshing and gritty action film that centers around two female characters, a portrayal that starkly deviates from the typical action movie and offers a breath of fresh air. While the film’s storyline is not overly unique, the authenticity of the performances and the real-life inspiration behind the protagonist make a stand out execution.
The film’s grounding in realism and emotional depth stems from Noomi Rapace’s powerful performance as Sam Carlson while Vicky Jewson’s raw and unpolished direction to the action scenes keeps the film from feeling like a forgettable action blockbuster. Close is personal and quietly tense rather than overstated.
For those looking for an action movie that focuses on story and character rather than mindless violence, Close is an underappreciated and underwritten gem. It is not only about guarding and protecting; rather, it’s about surviving, trusting, and finding strength in unusual teamwork, especially when the world writes you off.
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