She Rides Shotgun

Life is always teaching us lessons as we navigate through our daily routines. Most of those lessons come from our actions—because, as we were taught, every action has a reaction. Maybe you drink too much and wake up with a massive hangover. Or maybe you drive drunk, crash into a house, and end up in a jail cell. Whatever the situation, if we’re lucky, our bad choices come back to haunt only us. But sometimes, the consequences of our actions hurt others—and the payback is so intense that someone decides to come after not just you, but everyone and everything you love.

That’s the foundation of She Rides Shotgun, the new film from director Nick Rowland, based on Jordan Harper’s novel. The story poses a chilling question: how far would you go to protect the thing you love most?

Nathan McClusky (Taron Egerton) has made some bad choices in life—ones that landed him behind bars. While serving time, he made allies to survive, but he also killed someone important to some very dangerous people. As a result, a “green light” is put out—not just on Nathan, but on everyone he cares about, including his estranged daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger).

Now, Nathan is picking Polly up, fearing something terrible will happen to her—the same thing that already happened to her mother and stepfather. He takes Polly and goes on the run. But their flight triggers a police investigation, led by Detective Park (Ron Yang), who is trying to track down Nathan and his daughter. As things unfold, Park starts to believe Nathan may be innocent in the recent killings, and that a local drug lord could be the real culprit.

Time is running out. Everyone is in danger. And Nathan is desperate to save the one thing that still matters to him: his daughter.

Written by Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski, and Nick Rowland (who also directs), She Rides Shotgun never loses sight of its emotional core—the powerful bond between father and daughter. Around that relationship, Rowland builds a solid and suspenseful thriller as we follow Nathan and Polly on the run. The story doesn’t always flow smoothly—at times, Rowland slows things down for some overly long monologues—but even with those minor bumps, the film’s intensity keeps you engaged throughout.

She Rides Shotgun is a surprising and exhilarating ride that keeps your pulse pounding while showcasing a breakout performance from its young star. It’s a gripping story about broken hearts, redemption, and the unbreakable bonds of family. That sense of bonding allows Egerton and Heger to dig deep into their characters, with Heger delivering a performance that is raw, honest, and unforgettable.

Adding to the film’s impact is its stunning visual style. The cinematography makes great use of the New Mexico landscape, and the soundtrack enhances the gritty, soulful tone of the film.

In the end, She Rides Shotgun stands out as one of the most pleasant surprises of the summer—a film that deserves to be discovered. You won’t find many thrillers this year that hit harder, or linger longer.