I learned a valuable lesson after watching Motor City.
Sometimes, you really should watch the trailer first.
I went into the film completely blind because Shailene Woodley has been one of my favorite actresses for years, and after War Machine, Alan Ritchson has earned my trust.
I figured I was in for a gritty revenge thriller, and I was.
Just not in the way I expected.
Set in 1970s Detroit, Motor City follows John Miller (Alan Ritchson), a working-class man who is framed for a crime by a ruthless mobster (Ben Foster).
After serving years in prison, John returns home determined to settle the score and reclaim the life that was stolen from him.
What I wasn’t expecting was that Motor City tells almost its entire story without dialogue.
For the first twenty minutes, I honestly thought the movie was building toward something.
Then it hit me that nobody had spoken a single word.
Needless to say, I was caught completely off guard.
Had I watched the trailer, I would’ve known exactly what kind of movie I was walking into.
Instead, I spent the first part of the film trying to adjust to its unique storytelling style.
Once I accepted what the film was doing, I found myself enjoying the ride a lot more.
The action is brutal, the cinematography is stylish, and Alan Ritchson does an impressive job carrying the film without relying on dialogue.
Ben Foster also brings plenty of intensity to the role of the villain, and Shailene Woodley makes the most of her screen time.
The biggest surprise for me was the third act.
It completely turned the movie up a notch and delivered the kind of payoff I had been waiting for.
That said, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Motor City had the potential to be something even greater.
I would’ve loved to hear these characters speak because the performances are strong enough to support powerful dialogue.
Instead, the movie relies almost entirely on visuals, action, and facial expressions to tell its story.
If you’re planning to see Motor City, my biggest piece of advice is simple: watch the trailer first so you know exactly what kind of experience you’re getting.
Overall, I thought it was a solid watch with an unforgettable final act, even if I walked away wishing it had leaned into dialogue just a little more.
Motor City opens exclusively in theaters on Friday, July 24.
Will You Be Watching “Motor City”?
Are you intrigued by a dialogue-free revenge thriller, or is that a dealbreaker for you?
Let me know in the comments below.
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