movie review the enforcer 2022

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Cinema Scholars reviews the new action/thriller, The Enforcer . Starring Antonio Banderas and Kate Bosworth, the film is directed by Richard Hughes in his feature directorial debut. Banderas features as a vicious mafia enforcer who develops a conscience when he gets out of prison, developing paternal instincts toward a fifteen-year-old runaway. Kate Bosworth, playing against type, also stars as a ruthless Miami syndicate boss.

In The Enforcer , Cuda (Antonio Banderas) is a long-time mafia enforcer who has just been let out of prison. Cuda has taken the rap, and blame, for crimes committed by Miami syndicate boss Estelle (Kate Bosworth). A newly freed man, Cuda attempts to get his life back in order and reconcile with his teenage daughter, Lola (Vivian Malkova). However, she wants nothing to do with her father, as she knows what he does in order to pay the bills. As a substitute, Cuda takes a paternal interest in Billie (Zolee Griggs), a teenage runaway.

Cuda gets back into the game by going back to work for Estelle. One of his first jobs is to train Stray (Mojean Aria). A street fighter with a short fuse, Stray is looking for a quick score. Estelle takes him in and he is soon hired to become one of her enforcers, collecting money from those who owe it. Dishing out punishment to those who deserve it. Not much time passes before Cuda starts to act as a mentor toward Stray. The pair bond as they drive around Miami collecting unpaid debt and inflicting retribution.

Stray begins to fall head over heels for nightclub worker Lexus (Alexis Ren) and the two quickly begin a romance. As fate has it, Lexus is also associated with Cuda and Stray’s boss, Estelle. Throughout all of this, Cuda’s fatherly devotion and attention toward Billie is growing. He repeatedly protects her from trouble as well as getting her a motel room so she’ll be safe and off the streets. When Billie is kidnapped, Cuda quickly puts the pieces together. He soon realizes that the enemy is closer than he thinks.

Written by W. Peter Iliff ( Iron Will, Prayer of the Rollerboys ), The Enforcer is exactly what you think it’s going to be, and that’s fine because Banderas is more than up for the task. The film liberally eschews the vast archive of redemption-driven hitman stories, without ever really saying anything unique of its own. Still, Banderas has carved out and honed this silent macho character type for decades now, and he more than makes up for some of the one-dimensional supporting characters that appear in The Enforcer .

Hughes’ direction is competent in his feature debut. Further, he’s doing some decent world-building with regard to the criminal underground in Miami. Once The Enforcer switches into “thrill mode” the uninteresting side characters sprinkled throughout the film become more bearable. While Hughes’ direction is competent, casting is where The Enforcer really suffers. Rapper 2 Chainz is not in any way threatening as a sex trafficker. Also, while Kate Bosworth is giving it her all, she is miscast as the ruthless syndicate boss and killer, Estelle.

In a way, The Enforcer is part “buddy” movie as the characters of Cuda and Stray have an interesting dynamic and chemistry with each other. The street brawler being mentored and guided by the veteran killer is one of the narratives in The Enforcer that actually works. Additionally, the film’s script wisely stays away from too much exposition, which films of this genre are prone to do. However, at the end of the day, The Enforcer is simply a redemption thriller that has been done endlessly and, unfortunately, better.

Performances

At the center of The Enforcer is a solid performance by Antonio Banderas. It also helps that Hughes is a veteran director commercials. As a result, Banderas is framed perfectly. Additionally, Banderas cruising Miami has a familiar, nice feel to it. A neo-noir atmosphere is created for the first half of the film. Even more astonishing is that DP Callan Green actually shot the film in Greece! Still, as good as Banderas is, one can only take so much of a cliched “killer with a heart of gold” schtick before it gets monotonous.

While Kate Bosworth is giving it her all, the veteran actor simply can’t rise above the often ridiculous dialogue she is given to work with. Her performance is one-note and bland. It’s a shame as this is a step down from her fantastic performances in both House of Darkness (2022) and The Immaculate Room (2022). Mojean Aria, as Cuda’s protégé, has undeniable chemistry with Banderas and is by far what works the best in The Enforcer . Still, his character is barely fleshed out and what little backstory he has is not well thought out. Aria is a talented actor and he certainly deserves better.

Zolee Griggs and Alexis Ren are both adequate in supporting roles but at the end of the day, these characters cannot escape the cliches that they are built on. There is a distinct lack of charisma that permeates throughout The Enforcer and it, unfortunately, drags the whole film down. The tale of underworld life has been told many times before. It can only work if the characters are interesting and have something to say. Neither can be said in this instance. As ‘Pay-check’ Luke Bouchier did impress despite the small amount of screen time he was afforded.

Besides the above-average performance from Antonio Banderas perhaps the running time of The Enforcer is the film’s strongest quality. At a brisk 91-minutes, it has little to no exposition, and the side characters and subplots that we care little about, don’t get too annoying. Richard Hughes’s direction, particularly the action sequences, is above-average. Yet, the film’s shallow script makes you feel like this is something you have seen before, and you have. Banderas is great in the film, but aside from that, it’s simply mediocre. Hughes has real talent, and he deserves better material to work with.

The Enforcer is currently in limited theatrical release and available on VOD and Digital platforms via  Screen Media .

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The Enforcer Review: Antonio Banderas is a Conflicted Hit Man in Average Crime Drama

Miami kingpin Estelle (Kate Bosworth) is looking for insurance. Not because she doesn’t trust her usual muscle Cuda (Antonio Banderas) anymore, but because she’s not sure how much time he has left in the tank let alone how well he’s going to adapt to a world running on online currency. Stuck in jail for a decade, his return is therefore just in time to train his replacement: a street fighter named Stray (Mojean Aria) who makes a living always battling above his weight class. The assumption is that he already has what it takes physically to handle himself when collecting Estelle’s taxes from the gangsters and lowlifes operating in her territory. So, if he learns even a fraction of Cuda’s patience and experience, he’ll turn out just fine.

Director Richard Hughes and screenwriter W. Peter Iliff ensure we know Stray isn’t necessarily built for that world, though. If he were, he would have joined long ago. He’s a scrapper, not a killer. He psyches himself up to do whatever’s necessary to win fights and hopes the earnings pay enough rent so he can do it again. Estelle’s offer can’t help being alluring as a result. And she knows it. Beat some people up, let Cuda kill them, and see where things go. Maybe he’ll take to the killing part himself too. The question then becomes whether that potential metamorphosis will ultimately place his loyalty in Estelle’s or Cuda’s corner. Because while their corners are aligned at the start, a choice will eventually need to be made.

And it’s all because of Cuda’s daughter Lola’s sweet sixteen. The reason: he’s not invited. Miss that many celebrations and the desire to want you at the next wears thin. He’s cognizant enough to know he only has himself to blame. So, when he sees someone her age in trouble, he steps in to help. He gives Billie (Zolee Griggs) everything Lola won’t take. Assuaging his guilt through a surrogate stranger. The biggest difference, of course, is that Lola lives in the suburbs. Billie’s on those same streets where Stray fights and thus vulnerable to getting caught up in the underground world Cuda is paid to protect. Can he simply abandon another young girl? Can he sit back and watch the job that ruined his life ruin Stray’s?

The Enforcer becomes a sort of “This is Your Life” scenario for Cuda. Here’s a man who has nothing but money and regrets, gazing upon two others that still have room to hope. Stray and Billie don’t need to be consumed by Estelle. They have options—the same ones he had but was too blind to see. So, why not open their eyes and be the change he never found for himself? He can set them free, but only if they’re willing to take the opportunity once it’s given. It might not seem like much, but this is the crucial detail that allows the film to be so much better than it probably has any right to be. Cuda is merely a voice. They must choose to listen.

Estelle is therefore little more than a catalyst. Where she sends Cuda and Stray matters plot-wise and conveniently coincides with where they need to go character-wise too, but she is simply their destruction. She’s pulling the strings that ensure they will always be left empty despite the money she puts in their pockets. That’s how she maintains control. It’s why Cuda has become such a huge liability—his perspective is able to provide an alternative. He knows they don’t have to sell their souls or earn excessive wealth. Love is everything and it’s the one thing they cannot have while under Estelle’s thumb. Because she will always come first. She owns them. Refuse her orders and someone else will take your spot the moment after they kill you.

Iliff’s script and Hughes’ direction might not provide anything we haven’t seen before, but both allow the actors the necessary room to give us what we need to stay invested. Don’t therefore expect a lot of exposition or much depth when it comes to who they run across or where they meet. Their sphere is miniscule. The person who kidnaps Billie is exactly who you think and the place she’s taken is exactly where she needs to be for Cuda to find her as quickly as possible. The bookie (Luke Bouchier’s Pay-check) at Stray’s fights is Freddie the sex trafficker’s (2 Chainz) lieutenant and the dancer Stray falls for (Alexis Ren’s Lexus) is on Estelle’s payroll. It’s clean, simple, and easy so the performances can shine.

We feel the push and pull occurring beneath the surface where Stray is concerned. Aria lends a sense of desperation that prevents the character from being another heavy like the others on-screen. He’s a survivor. Griggs lends a similar urgency to Billie. She’s not in the film that much (her disappearance triggers much of the action), but The Enforcer is never better than her introductory sequence opposite Banderas—two strangers feeling each other out and realizing they can let their guards down. And he’s the star. Everything revolves around Banderas’ Cuda whether he’s in control of the situation or not. Lola’s mother tells him that their daughter is old enough to know what it is he does and he’s finally old enough to realize what it cost him.

Cuda continues doing what he’s told because he has a job to do and because the routine hasn’t changed much since he’s been gone. He knows the people he deals with will either do what he says or deserve what he does and that’s fine. The stuff Freddie is doing (and Estelle allows to be done) is different, though. You could pick apart the fact that it’s not that different (gambling and drugs affect children too) or you can enjoy the bloody affair that ensues because Cuda has officially grown tired of constantly moving the line. Will Stray have his back and turn against his new employer? Or will he thank Cuda for job opening? It’s not rocket science which he picks, but the result is worthwhile, nonetheless.

The Enforcer hits limited release and VOD on September 23.

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Movie Review – The Enforcer (2022)

March 27, 2023 by Robert Kojder

The Enforcer , 2022.

Directed by Richard Hughes. Starring Antonio Banderas, Alexis Ren, Mojean Aria, Zolee Griggs, Aaron Cohen, 2 Chainz, Kate Bosworth, Mark Rhino Smith, Luke Bouchier, Christos Vasilopoulos, Kostas Sommer, Kika Georgiou, Vivian Milkova, and Natalie Burn.

An enforcer has to sacrifice everything to save a young girl he has befriended from cybersex trafficking.

Antonio Banderas is Cuda, a mobster with a heart of gold in Richard Hughes’ The Enforcer . He doesn’t necessarily start that way, enlisting yard-fighter Stray (Mojean Aria, able to give the hand-to-hand brawls and MMA-style takedowns/submission holds an authentic feel that might be the only decent thing about the action here) for a quick job where the titular enforcer demonstrates his murderous ruthlessness. By the night’s end, Cuda puts a bullet in someone’s head, whereas Stray, who handles himself fine physically, is unprofessional and doesn’t express interest in learning how to conduct himself, leading them to part ways.

Cuda’s daughter Lola (Vivian Milkova) is on the cusp of turning 16 but naturally wants nothing to do with her father, considering she has reached an age where she knows what he does for a living. Likewise, Cuda is also separated from his wife. It’s hard to blame Lola for not wanting this career criminal showing up at school and trying to buy back love with dirty money (literal blood money) and trying to plan an upcoming birthday celebration. Simultaneously, Stray is furthering a newfound romantic fling with nightclub worker Lexus (Alexis Ren), who happens to be associated with Cuda’s boss Estelle (Kate Bosworth).

Feeling down inside, not even 24 hours removed from killing someone in cold blood, Cuda wanders around Miami, where he encounters the shoplifting Billie (Zolee Griggs), a runaway 15-year-old with a rough life and no family. Cuda whips out another fat stack of cash and sets her up in a motel room, under the impression that this could be his shot at redemption (especially since his family wants nothing to do with him. Approximately two days later, he visits to check up on her, finding no one there and signs of a kidnapping struggle.

As a result, Cuda is set on a rampage to get to the bottom of the situation, reconnecting with Stray, who desperately wants more criminal work and pleads to accept constructive criticism, primarily because he wants to make a living and provide for his new girlfriend. And so begins the repetitiveness of hitting up one hotbed for illegal activity after another to piece together a trail. Along the way, we are treated to painfully generic dialogue about revenge, regrets, and forgiveness (the script from W. Peter Iliff is a clunker every step). 

Far more frustratingly is that The Enforcer , which already doesn’t do much with any of these characters and their quickly established dynamics, arrives at a cybersex trafficking reveal that is so glossed over and only used for contrived plotting that the film comes across as indulging fringe circles that believe these rings exist on every street corner. There is no attempt to explore how and why these operations are built and maintained (aside from money) or focus on the victims beyond something to save; they are nothing more than a tool for redemption.

If The Enforcer successfully functions as a solid action flick, the above might not be so bad. However, the script largely tells a dramatic story with Cuda drastically changing his personality on the fly. The reaction to the crisis he is facing regarding being forced out of his family’s life is normal, but that haste in which he is ready to sacrifice his life seeking redemption by rescuing a kidnapped teenage girl feels dishonest.

It also doesn’t help that there are glaring production issues (day changes to night for no reason between scenes of Cuda and Billie grabbing dinner after meeting, lines have been dubbed back into English but still contain subtitles that aren’t even the correct spoken words). Then there is the final reveal, which is an attempt at lame shock value.

Any time Mojean Aria is bare-knuckle brawling generic henchmen, The Enforcer is tolerable. Aside from that, it’s a rushed and clichéd mess.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★  / Movie: ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check  here  for new reviews, follow my  Twitter  or  Letterboxd , or email me at [email protected]

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The Enforcer Review: Antonio Banderas Cares & Kills

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A recently paroled hit man develops a conscience after meeting two very different strangers. The Enforcer gets an acting booster shot from a compelling Antonio Banderas lead performance. He's believable as a killer who reaches an inflection point. What could have been a clichéd, B-movie actioner engrosses with neon noir imagery, brutal beat downs, and bullet-riddled heroics . Kate Bosworth also stands out as the ruthless gangster that holds the scumbag leashes. She's effective playing against type. There are several glaring editing issues but not enough to torpedo the overall entertainment value.

The Enforcer opens with a blood-soaked Cuda (Banderas) staring wistfully on a sunny beach. We are then introduced to Stray (Mojean Aria) as he pummels a much bigger opponent in a bare knuckle fight. A goon sees promise and invites him to a Miami meeting with the big boss. Stray strikes up a conversation with Lexus (Alexis Ren) while waiting. She's also a pawn of the cold-blooded Estelle (Bosworth).

Stray is sent on his first collection with Cuda. He quickly learns that Cuda is the last man that Estelle's enemies see. Cuda attempts to reconnect with his daughter, Lola (Vivian Milkova), at her school. She didn't know her father was out of jail and wants nothing from him. A disappointed Cuda hoped to celebrate her sixteenth birthday.

Cuda's life changes watching Billy (Zolee Griggs) get caught shoplifting. He recognizes she's a runaway around Lola's age. Cuda buys her food and week's stay in a dingy motel. Meanwhile, Estelle has a new assignment for her collection team. Freddy (2 Chainz) runs a trap house where women are kidnapped, drugged, and prostituted. He makes a fortune broadcasting his despicable activities on the dark web. A disgusted Cuda and Stray remind Freddy that Estelle always gets her cut. Cuda visits the hotel to check on Billy but finds her room trashed and the girl missing.

Related: Don't Worry Darling Review: Olivia Wilde's Sophomore Slump Thriller

An Odd Pairing That Works

Cuda and Stray are an odd pairing that actually works. Aria, a dead ringer for Aaron Paul, respects Cuda as a mentor. He's a street brawler trying for a bigger score. The grizzled Cuda warns him to find a way out while he can. Cuda's lucky to have survived this long. Stray finds meaning with Cuda and a connection to Lexus. But they're all slaves of a cruel master. Estelle is an alpha predator who crushes competition and dissent.

The Enforcer is not a wall-to-wall action film. Richard Hughes, a famed commercial director, makes the correct narrative decision with his feature debut. He gives Banderas time to establish Cuda's character and change of heart. This is a critical choice in a brisk ninety minutes. Hughes has a few bewildering editing cuts during the second act. I think this is where he decided to lessen the action and let Banderas carry the emotional weight. Cuda won't allow Billy to be sexually exploited. Stray has his back against their wicked boss. Banderas brings comradery to the ensemble.

The Enforcer surpasses typical genre films with a modicum of depth. The audience gets a filled violence quota but also cares about the characters. A surprisingly poetic ending further differentiates from the usual B-movie dreck.

The Enforcer is a production of Born to Burn Films, Millennium Media, and Nu Boyana Film Studios. It will have a VOD and theatrical release on September 23rd from Screen Media Film .

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Review: ‘The Enforcer’ Antonio Banderas Gets His Liam Neeson On As A Miami Hitman With A Heart Of Gold

After serving a lengthy prison sentence, Cuda (Antonio Banderas) recently got his freedom. Naturally, he returns to doing the one thing he does well, which is protecting his boss Estelle from the mob (Kate Bosworth). Things initially appear to be fine because he isn’t actually doing anything significant. He must first find the unemployed street fighter Stray (Mojean Aria) so that he can provide muscle for Estelle and maybe step in for Cuda if jail doesn’t restore his fighting spirit. In Richard Hughes’ feature-length directorial debut The Enforcer, Cuda is introduced to us as being just as merciless as he was ten years prior, as we quickly discover.

Cuda is a broken guy, despite being as tough as nails for the sake of his job. He hasn’t seen his sixteen-year-old daughter Lola (Vivian Milkova) since she was much younger, and he is desperate to get in touch with her (thanks to jail and whatnot). She is a regular teenager who does not want anything to do with her father because, well, he is her father and that is what teenagers do, and she also does not want anything to do with her father who was absent because he was arrested for a crime and was sent to jail. His relationship with his ex-wife is no better as she pretty much tells him to leave their daughter alone and doesn’t invite him to Lola’s sweet sixteen.

Cuda still has his paternal instincts even though Lola doesn’t want to interact with him much. He watches Billie (Zolee Griggs), a fifteen-year-old runaway who is arrested for shoplifting, while he is unwinding at a nearby shopping center. He gives the young girl some food and introduces himself after defusing Billie’s conflict with a shop owner. To try and purify his conscience and do the right thing, Cuda places Billie in a motel, pays for her lodging for the week, and gives her a wad of cash. The only drawback for Cuda is that not everyone is as kind to Billie as he is, and she eventually becomes the target of sex traffickers’ stalking and kidnapping. Later, when Cuda goes to check on Billie, he receives the unsettling news that she has vanished without a trace and that there are indications of a struggle.

Cuda and Stray continue grunt work for Estelle and go to collect a payment from a cyber-sex peddler (2 Chainz: yes, the rapper 2 Chainz is a criminal kingpin in The Enforcer ) where he discovers that Billie is being held captive along with a bunch of other girls and are pumped full of drugs and force to be cam girls against their will. This doesn’t sit right with Cuda who approaches Estelle for her involvement in such a terrible business. Cuda must choose between tearing down the organization he just served 10 years in prison for over a girl he met recently or looking the other way after realizing his boss is complicit in this type of business practice.

Since everyone anticipates what will happen with Cuda and his decision to atone for his past and save this young child, The Enforcer is very predictable. And in terms of telling this kind of story, which has been done so frequently that it now has its own genre, the movie isn’t doing anything particularly innovative. It’s not exactly clear why the movie needs Stray, played by Mojean Aria, since his major purpose is to be driven and tag along with Cuda. The story wouldn’t have been significantly altered if he hadn’t been in the movie. I like 2 Chainz’s music just as much as the next guy, but he didn’t make a good final boss, particularly in an action movie.

The charm is in Antonio Banderas, who can still get his Desperado on as he kills many thugs by beating and shooting them. He appears to be the lone performer who excels in spite of the clunky script by W. Peter Iliff. Unfortunately, The Enforcer uses tropes that we have seen a hundred times before in better movies, and not even Antonio Banderas can stop the movie from falling victim to its own cliches. Even though it takes some effort to get there, the third act is entertaining.

The Enforcer is currently in theaters and On Demand.

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WhichFilm | Film Reviews | Audience Film Reviews

The Enforcer (2022)

Director: Richard Hughes 90 minutes

Release Date: 23rd September 2022

An enforcers morals are tested to the max when a young girl he has befriended becomes the victim of cybersex trafficking.

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The Enforcer

By Sumner Forbes | October 2, 2022

Is the universe collapsing into itself? So you’re telling me that A-list Spanish actor Antonio Banderas is headlining an action film that includes supporting roles from rapper 2 Chainz and popular model/influencer Alexis Ren? In director Richard Hughes’ middling action offering,  The Enforcer , written by W. Peter Iliff, that’s what we get. It features a bizarre turn from a well-seasoned actor in a story that struggles to set itself apart from the crowded pack.

In Miami, Stray (Mojean Aria) is a professional street fighter who regularly puts his skills as a pugilist to the test to make ends meet. His hyper-masculine badassery catches the eye of mafia enforcer Cuda (Banderas) and his comically evil boss Estelle (Kate Bosworth). In their quest for a brute that can help add a more, uh, convincing touch to their illicit business deals, they bring Stray into the fold. Cuda, a world-weary ex-con who’s trying to rekindle his relationship with his daughter, becomes a mentor of sorts to Stray, which takes on more meaning as they try to find a recently abducted young girl.

The Enforcer  is rife with seedy locales and brutal violence, but Hughes’ movie never feels particularly adventurous in terms of characters or the action. Sure, genre junkies don’t need or want a complex narrative when their primary motivation for watching is to see faces get smashed with golf clubs. However, even the most devoted action acolyte would want a story less filled with stale cliches. An angry, violent man attempting to redeem himself by rescuing an innocent, barely pubescent girl from hoods like 2 Chainz and his gang of malcontents is hardly original enough to move the needle.

“…[Cuda and Stray] try to find a recently abducted young girl .”

In the vast majority of cases, intense sequences of action aren’t enough. Whether it be  Lethal Weapon  or something as varied and frenetic as   RRR , snappy dialogue and a few moments of levity goes a long way towards improving the viewer experience by breaking up what would otherwise be a dour experience. And  The Enforcer  certainly is dour. But for what it’s worth, seeing the baddies get their comeuppance is undeniably cathartic.

The relationship between Stray and Cuda has potential. The debonair mannerisms of Cuda would have contrasted nicely with the uncouth demeanor of Stray, but this isn’t explored at any point in the script. As a result, Iliff really missed the opportunity to flesh out what should have been the most interesting aspect of the narrative.

Maybe Banderas wanted to capitalize on the popularity of the  Taken  or  John Wick  franchises, which is entirely understandable. For a man used to covering a wide range of genres, the role of the older action star is one with a certain degree of cultural cache.  The Enforcer , though, just isn’t the right vehicle.

The Enforcer (2022)

Directed: Richard Hughes

Written: W. Peter Iliff

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Mojean Aria, Kate Bosworth, 2 Chainz, Alexis Ren, etc.

Movie score: 5.5/10

"…seeing the baddies get their comeuppance is undeniably cathartic..."

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The enforcer.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 0 Reviews
• Kids Say 0 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Violent noir action has nudity, sex crime, smoking, cursing.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Enforcer is a neo-noir crime thriller. Antonio Banderas stars as Cuda (as in "barracuda"), a slick mob enforcer who knows his actions have cost him everything. When a path to redemption opens up, he follows it, no matter the personal cost. Part of his character evolution is the…

Why Age 17+?

Sex trafficking. A teen girl is attacked and abducted. Frequent, intense violenc

Sex workers, dancers, and bartenders in a club are either topless or wearing lea

Near constant use of "f--k." Other strong language includes "ass," "bitch," "bul

Smoking by most characters throughout, made to look cool. In a trap house, crime

Any Positive Content?

Theme of redemption.

Main character Cuda is Latino (although actor Antonio Banderas is European), and

Characters work in organized crime: Some might choose to do the right thing in a

Violence & Scariness

Sex trafficking. A teen girl is attacked and abducted. Frequent, intense violence. Shootings, many fatal and visual. Aggressive stabbings. Street fighting with quite a few punches and lots of blood and injuries.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Sex workers, dancers, and bartenders in a club are either topless or wearing leather and chain bikinis, trunks, and lingerie. Pornographic-style live feeds include images of scantily clad women touching themselves or each other. Kissing. Exotic dancing, including a steamy lap dance. Blooming romance between two characters who are shown kissing and, in an unrelated scene, waking up in the same bed.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Near constant use of "f--k." Other strong language includes "ass," "bitch," "bulls--t," "goddamn," and "s--t."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Smoking by most characters throughout, made to look cool. In a trap house, crime lords are shown lighting and smoking marijuana, a needle is shown being prepped. A girl who sits with the crime lords looks out of it, the implication being that she's high.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Diverse representations.

Main character Cuda is Latino (although actor Antonio Banderas is European), and the teen runaway he helps is Black and depicted positively. There's one queer character, but this appears to be largely to create a provocative and steamy scene. The most powerful person in the film is a female mob boss, but she's not depicted positively. Other than Cuda's wife and daughter, who are rarely on camera, women are depicted as sex objects.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Positive Role Models

Characters work in organized crime: Some might choose to do the right thing in a given situation, but they're not role models. "Good" or compassionate actions from the main characters carry a self-serving reward.

Parents need to know that The Enforcer is a neo-noir crime thriller. Antonio Banderas stars as Cuda (as in "barracuda"), a slick mob enforcer who knows his actions have cost him everything. When a path to redemption opens up, he follows it, no matter the personal cost. Part of his character evolution is the discovery of a sex trafficking ring, and victims are shown being violently abducted, kept in rooms with locked cell doors, and topless in sexualized attire. Images on a television in the background are meant to depict live sex cams, with women gyrating on camera. Much of the action takes place in a club that features scantily clad club dancers; one scene shows a steamy lap dance. While the suggestion of sex is everywhere, kissing is the only interaction that actually appears. Violence is extreme, with one storyline revolving around a street fighter who bare-knuckle fights opponents to bloody unconsciousness. There are also close-range shootings and stabbings, with plenty of blood and spray. Negative characters smoke pot, with the implication of heavier drug use. Most characters smoke cigarettes in a way that glamorizes the act. Expect drinking and strong language throughout, including near constant use of "f--k." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Fresh out of prison, Cuda ( Antonio Banderas ) returns to his former job as THE ENFORCER of an organized crime ring in Miami. When his daughter, disgusted by his past deeds, refuses to reconnect with him, Cuda takes a 15-year-old runaway ( Zolee Griggs ) under his wing. Feeling like he's lost one daughter who depended on him, he refuses to lose the other.

Is It Any Good?

Violent crime dramas are a dime a dozen, but this Miami-set redemption tale has some heart. As Cuda, Banderas dresses like the James Bond of organized crime, a signal that he's too classy to work for the mob (not to mention a reminder that Banderas is too classy to be in this kind of film). But he turns in a performance as solid as he might for a Pedro Almodóvar film, and that achievement shines a light on his fellow actors, whose work might otherwise be overlooked. Kate Bosworth takes an unexpected approach as a mob boss who exudes power through her calm and femininity. Australian newcomer Mojean Arias is street fighter Stray, a young man who's trying to figure out his path in a world with few options, and it's easy to see that he's one to watch. (On the other hand, while rap fans may enjoy seeing 2 Chainz, he should probably keep his day job.)

First-time feature director Richard Hughes and established writer W. Peter Iliff ( Point Break , Patriot Games , Varsity Blues ) work well together. The Enforcer isn't a great film by any stretch of the imagination, but the filmmakers' choice to use noir elements and tailor them to a world-weary henchman instead of a detective is an exciting adjustment. Viewers' introduction to Stray is attention-getting: The camera follows him for a full minute as he walks through the streets of Miami, psyching himself up for a fight. It's easy to imagine this scene being discussed at length in panels and conferences for the rest of Hughes' life. But once the story pivots into the underbelly of the Miami crime scene, it goes from gritty to icky. The hope that the film might rise above the low-budget guns-and-glory schlock the title promises disappears like Cuda's hope that he'll be able to escape his life of crime. By the end, it's clear that this is meant for audiences who enjoy a juicy blood splatter and dames in dominatrix gear holding a smoking gun.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about The Enforcer' s violence . Do the brutal scenes help get the movie's point across, or are they gratuitous? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

Are there any positive portrayals of sex here? Why do you think sex and violence are often paired in movies and TV shows?

What is redemption? How does protecting teen runaway Billie offer a path to redemption for Cuda, Stray, and Alexis?

Does this film objectify women? Why, or why not?

What elements of noir did you spot? How does this compare to other films in the noir and neo-noir genre that you've seen?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 23, 2022
• On DVD or streaming : November 8, 2022
• Cast : Antonio Banderas , Kate Bosworth , Mojean Aria
• Director : Richard Hughes
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Screen Media Films
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Run time : 90 minutes
• MPAA rating : R
• MPAA explanation : strong/bloody violence, language throughout, sexual content, nudity and drug use
• Last updated : September 12, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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‘The Enforcer’ Ending, Explained: What Happens To Stray, Billie, And Lexus? Is Cuda Dead?

Richard Hughes’s film, “The Enforcer,” centers around a man named Mr. Cuda, who is evidently in the wrong line of business. Usually, there is no space for emotions or empathy in the mind of a cold-blooded contract killer. Perhaps, once upon a time, Mr. Cuda might have been a ruthless hitman, but in the film, he doesn’t fit the bill. Having a family of his own probably brought about a change in the man, and then serving jail time developed a fear of losing his family. As “The Enforcer” begins, we see Mr. Cuda walking towards the shore of a beach in Miami. He has been shot, and his clothes are blood-stained. While talking about sunsets and forgiveness, Cuda revisits the recent past, where he tries to redeem himself through the act of saving one innocent life. In a way, he tells the audience his story of redemption, but it is up to the viewers to give the final judgment on whether Cuda deserves forgiveness or not. So, let’s dive deeper into the dark world of Cuda and try to understand it in a better manner.

Spoilers Ahead

What Is The Film About?

Ricky “Stray” is a backyard fighter who earns a living by putting his life at risk each and every day. Impressed by his zeal and guts, a woman named Estelle calls him to her night bar in Miami. Without going much into the background, the film informs us that Estelle is some sort of kingpin who runs a prostitution ring in the area. She doesn’t waste a moment and immediately informs Stray that she herself has fought her way up the ladder, which is the reason she is especially interested in him; he seems like a hustler to her. Estelle teams up Stray with her most trusted hitman, Mr. Cuda, who drives Stray to South Beach to eliminate a target named Ronnie Fennech. Ronnie owes a lot of money to Estelle and has failed to pay her back, which is why she sent Mr. Cuda to finish him off. But even though Mr. Cuda and Stray finish the mission successfully, Cuda doesn’t like Stray’s amateur working style and thus sends him off.

The very next morning, Cuda pays a visit to his 15-year-old daughter, Lola. It is the first time Cuda meets her after coming out of prison. In an effort to mend his relationship with his daughter, Cuda hands her some money and asks her what she wants for her upcoming 16th birthday. However, it is apparent that Lola doesn’t like her father visiting her at school and hence quickly takes a leave from there. Later, we find Cuda near a beach, where he meets another 15-year-old girl named Billie, who has run away from her foster parent’s house in Atlanta and has come to Miami to start a new life. A woman catches Billie shoplifting, and as soon as Cuda hears the fuss, he quickly comes to Billie’s rescue. Cuda takes Billie to a joint and advises her not to roam the streets of Miami, as they are not safe for a young girl like her. Out of generosity, Cuda pays for a hotel room so that Billie can stay there for a week and, in the meantime, find suitable work to survive in the city. He even hands her some cash along with a golden-colored money clip. Cuda saw a glimpse of his daughter, Lola, in Billie, which could be one of the many reasons why he was so supportive of her. His relationship with Billie eventually becomes a turning point in Cuda’s character and his criminal life.

Later that night, an unknown man kidnaps Billie from her hotel room, and as soon as Cuda finds out about it, he starts looking for her. He even approaches Stray and asks for his help to find Billie. During a debt collection in a Chinese restaurant, Cuda spots the golden money clip in his hand, which he had given to Billie. Cuda starts following the leads and ends up discovering that it was the hotel manager who had sold Bille to a guy named Freddie, who runs a webcam factory in Midtown. Freddie abducts or buys girls through his corrupt ways and later forces them to do obscene scenes for the internet creeps through which he is earning a lot of money. But even though Cuda finds out that it is Freddie who has kidnapped Billie, he cannot help her because Freddie has paid half a million dollars to Estelle as protection money, and if Cuda decides to attack Freddie in order to save Billie, then it will ignite a war between him and Estelle. So, will Cuda raise his arms against his own owner in order to clear his conscience? Absolutely yes, and that is what brings about a much-deserved closure in his character.

What Happens To Stray, Billie, And Lexus?

Cuda tried to convince Estelle to allow him to stop Freddie. However, as it was apparent, Estelle was more interested in money than Cuda’s newfound empathy towards the underage girl. She knew it was time for Cuda to retire and thus ordered her bodyguard, Doom, to kill him. Suddenly, Stray arrived at Estelle’s office with the bags Freddie had given to him. At this point, Stray had two choices. Either to stay loyal to Estelle and witness the death of his friend-cum-mentor, Cuda, or help Cuda and start a war with Estelle. Fortunately, Stray chose Cuda over Estelle, and during the fight with Doom, he unclipped the shotgun hanging on his vest. While Doom was trying to suffocate Cuda to death, Cuda quickly grasped the shotgun and killed Doom. In a fit of rage, Estelle tried to shoot Stray, but suddenly, Lexus arrived and shot Estelle. Lexus or Sloane used to work at Estelle’s night bar as a prostitute and a dancer, but as soon as she fell in love with Stray, she hoped for a completely different life and yearned to escape. Hence, shooting Estelle meant that not only did she free herself from Estelle’s prostitution ring but also saved Stray from having a similar fate as Cuda. A bleeding Cuda asked them to take the money and run while he went to the old cookie factory in Midtown, where Freddie had kept Billie captive along with several other girls.

Quite heroically, Cuda saved all the girls and shot down Freddie’s men. However, as soon as he stepped into Freddie’s den, Freddie, hiding in the dark, shot him in the stomach. Freddie wanted to see Cuda bleed to death, but fortunately, Billie, who had been unlocked by one of the girls, arrived there and picked up Cuda’s gun, with which she shot Freddie. At this point, Billie wanted to shoot Cuda, too, as she believed he was the one who had sold her to Freddie, but Cuda quickly cleared her misunderstanding, and together they left the factory, leaving Freddie to die. Cuda drove to a location where he had already called Stray and Lexus, and there he requested Stray to take Billie with him and leave Florida as soon as possible. He ordered him to take half a million dollars and travel to a place that is far, far away from Miami. Somewhere, no one will ever be able to find them.

Stray took his mentor’s advice and shifted with Billie and Lexus to a cold region in the mountains far away from the shores. They had built a peaceful life for themselves, and Stray opened an auto repair shop under his real name, “Ricky.” Once, Cuda had told Stray that he had quite a talent in fixing automobiles, and indeed, Stray remembered that compliment, which influenced his decision to enter into the same line of business in order to live a life worth living. Nevertheless, he had half a million dollars with him and could have survived even without it.

Is Cuda Dead?

After bidding goodbye to Billie, Cuda drove to his daughter’s school, where he left his “barracuda” car for her. It was the perfect birthday present for Lola. At the beginning of the film, when Cuda had asked Billie for her advice on what he should give to his 16-year-old daughter, Billie told him that whatever he wanted to give should come from his heart and, more than that, it should be something that only he could give. We rarely see Cuda without his car in “The Enforcer,” so it becomes an extension of his personality. The car would always remind Lola of her father since there was no other legacy that Cuda could hand over to her.

Soon after leaving his car, Cuda walked to the shore of one of the beaches in Miami, where he took his last breath. The last scene reminded us of the painting that Cuda had bought from a fine art gallery, probably run by his ex-wife. As soon as Cuda saw the painting for the first time, something struck him. In the painting, we see a man sitting by the shore under a tree, living the most peaceful life. Probably, Cuda too yearned for such calmness, which is why we always saw him roaming around the beaches when he was not killing people or collecting debts. During his final moments, Cuda sat under the tree just like the man whom we saw in the painting and died there in peace. In the last scene, we see the same painting in Stray’s or Ricky’s garage. This suggests that Cuda might not have been able to live a peaceful life himself, as depicted in the painting, but he indeed helped Stray, Lexus, and Billie to live one. By sacrificing himself, he saved three lives, and for him, it was his redemption.

“The Enforcer” is a 2022 Drama Thriller film directed by Richard Hughes.

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The Enforcer Reviews

... Magnum Force, was poorly made but did have some cheap nastiness; the third in the series, the new. The Enforcer, doesn't have the savvy to be sadistic. It's just limp.

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... A straightforward cop thriller, but also a historical snapshot of American manhood dealing with the rising wave of feminism.

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By the time the film gets around to tracking and nailing the terrorist group at the heart of the plot, it almost feels like another movie altogether.

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In a tiresome, violent tale involving a kidnapping, San Francisco becomes a shooting gallery in which the characters are set up simply to be shot down.

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"The Enforcer" is a violent movie. That's what shapes it, sells it and ultimately sinks it.

Full Review | Aug 3, 2020

Dirty Harry sequel addresses sexism; lots of violence

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 6, 2016

Daly as character Kate is very empathetic and riveting to watch...

Full Review | Aug 20, 2012

...lacks a strong, clearly defined villainous presence. Still, Eastwood's flinty-eyed stare and snarling lip are more than enough.

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Despite inferior contributions from most departments, Eastwood carries the picture, and Tyne Daly does well as the female cop against very stacked odds.

Full Review | Jan 26, 2006

Throughout, this is Harry at his comic best.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

Finally, we know Lacey's secret past...she was killed in the line of duty

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 28, 2005

A series that has become too familiar using the same old formula.

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Dirty Harry has a female partner...briefly. Blasting action.

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