She Rides Shotgun is one of those films that, having seen it with no information other than a few names of who is cast in it, made the first watch so much better. With that said, I will do my best to remain spoiler-free and provide additional information on why this is a film worth a full-price ticket at the theater, for multiple viewings, and later for purchase for your own digital library.
The story itself is based on the Edgar-Award winning book (of the same title) by Jordon Harper. This name will be familiar to many for his work as an author of books, writer for episodes of The Mentalist, Gotham, and Hightown, and writer for the movie L.A. Confidential. He was also a story editor, executive story editor, and producer. Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski worked with him to create the screenplay.
Director Nick Rowland must have strong communication skills, as everything in this film worked together exceptionally well. I was locked in and engaged for the full two-hour run of the movie. The varying camera angles used not only give the audience the ability to feel what the characters are going through but also allow the viewer to interpret other factors that impact their choices. The music choices add to the emotional responses. It will have you questioning where you should question, cheering where you need to cheer, and jumping in your seat when you should.
There is a level of connection between Polly, Ana Sophia Heger, and Nate, Taron Egerton, that takes talent and dedication to create such a believable, strong bond. At the time of filming, Heger was 10 with an emotional depth not every ‘A’ lister today possesses. The interplay between Heger and Egerton was a key part of my deep appreciation for this film. Edgerton also strikes a balance between being tender and caring, on the one hand, and the desire to shield his daughter from the harsh realities of life, while also preparing her to persevere through difficult times.
This is a film I plan to see in the theater with an audience, and I will purchase it for my collection once it becomes available. It is a limited release, so I wouldn’t wait to go see it.
Director: Nick Rowland
Cast: Ana Sophia Heger, Taron Egerton, Rob Yang
MPAA Rating: Rated R for violence and language.
Selig Rating: 5 stars
Runtime: 2h
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Genre(s): Action, Mystery, Thriller
Movie Site: She Rides Shotgun website
Trailer: She Rides Shotgun trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.