Riot Girls

By: Sam Frost

Riot Girls writer Katherine Collins managed to take a loved and well-worn story trope and make it her own. Just a few scenes in Nat (Madison Iseman) gasps, “Holy mother of f**k,” as she looks at the new wheels Scratch (Paloma Kwiatkowski) scored them for their upcoming journey across town (and also as a response to the whole Riot Girls film, probably.) This movie grabs attention immediately and doesn’t let go until the credits roll.

We open with a comic book. The full screen is animated and filled with bright colors and block lettering. This gives us setting, some background. It’s the town of Potter’s Bluff and the adults are gone. The kids are in charge and their rules are questionable but strong. Things are divided between the rich West Siders and, where we start off, the working class East Siders.

Nat and Scratch live at a camp brought together by Nat’s brother Jack (Alexandre Bourgeois) who appears to have a habit of saving kids and bringing them home. After hitting quiet and peaceful West Sider Sony (Ajay Friese) with his truck, Jack brings him on a mission to steal water from West Side troops then back to his camp. After Jack goes back to the truck and gets caught by West Side soldiers, Sony steps up to accompany Nat and Scratch on their journey to rescue Jack.

All hell breaks lose when the West Side leader Jeremy (Munro Chambers), who is like a real life version of Shrek’s Lord Farquaad, (with the hairstyle to match his attitude) catches wind of what’s happening. Thanks to director Jovanka Vuckovic the film doesn’t shy away from the dark. Lives are taken. Families are torn apart. Nat, Scratch and Sony lead the film on a journey through many side characters like Sony’s family member Caine (Jenny Raven) who helps the gang with their rescue plans and Jeremy’s cousin Devon (Evan Marsh). It would have been easy to let these two fall under the radar, to let them serve their plot purpose and the move on, but we see real dynamic changes and motivations take place within them.

The trials these characters face bring out an intimate look at humanity. Rash decisions are made in the struggle for both safety and power. Class dividers are ever present. It’s an insightful look at what can happen when normal senses of power and control are lost, when all bets are off. The film is intense from start to finish and the actors do a great job of staying serious and in character while also giving themselves and the film enough room to not take itself too seriously. There’s petty drama. There’s camp. There’s a little bit of everything.

Kwiatkowski creates the ultimate “bad girl with a good heart” persona. She’s the Jughead Jones (“Riverdale”) every queer girl (and probably every person in general) needs. From her spiked hair to her attitude to her unflinching bravery, she’s the star of the whole show. Her character is well-rounded, showing evidence of hardness while also being unafraid of breaking down even if she won’t let anyone else see it.

The film all takes place within a few days. The timing is everything. The plot blasts forward quickly and intensely and the world was so captivating I was surprised to see the credits already rolling. There’s no question about whether or not this film will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s full of love, loss and humanity and it will not disappoint.