‘She Rides Shotgun’ Review: A Young Girl Learns To Grow Up Fast In A Violent But Slyly Subversive Ne…

She Rides Shotgun opens with quiet unease and closes on emotional devastation — and in between, it rarely lets up. Director Nick Rowland (Calm With Horses) guides the film through two tense hours that blend gritty neo-noir aesthetics with a coming-of-age narrative, anchored by a haunting performance from Ana Sophia Heger and a career-pivoting turn by Taron Egerton.

Rowland’s direction leans into discomfort without veering into melodrama, allowing the story to breathe emotionally while still pushing through genre-twisting action sequences. Though some may find the runtime excessive, it gives space for nuance to develop — especially as the bond between an ex-con father and his daughter deepens in increasingly dark territory.

Plot Summary

The film begins with 11-year-old Polly (Heger) waiting at school for her mom, only to be picked up by a stranger with a shaved head and prison tattoos — her estranged father, Nate (Egerton), freshly released from prison. Something’s wrong, and the growing number of cop cars at Polly’s home soon confirms it: her mother and stepfather have been murdered.

As the pair flee to a motel, Nate dyes Polly’s hair, trains her in self-defense, and warns her to watch for “blue lightning” tattoos — a cryptic line that becomes crucial later. Meanwhile, Polly sees the crime scene on the news and faces an emotional crossroad: should she turn in her father, or trust him?

A Father-Daughter Bond Forged in Chaos

What follows is less about exoneration than survival. Nate’s past has caught up with him, and a powerful underworld cartel has marked his entire family for execution. The stakes escalate when Detective John Park (Rob Yang) enters the story, leveraging Nate’s vulnerability to get him to infiltrate Slabtown, the Southwest’s largest meth operation. Nate is his “horse to Troy,” and Polly — heartbreakingly — rides shotgun.

Egerton, known for his clean-cut charm, disappears into the role of Nate, giving us a bruised, morally broken antihero who still clings to his daughter as a last hope. Heger, in contrast, plays Polly with a subtle mix of innocence and growing toughness, her transformation unsettling yet emotionally raw.

Themes and Impact

She Rides Shotgun plays with classic crime-thriller tropes, but filters them through a child’s eyes. The result is something deeply unsettling: How does exposure to violence shape a child’s psyche? In one controversial but unforgettable scene, Polly handles a loaded firearm, something most films wouldn’t dare show.

Despite building toward a traditional final shootout, Rowland doesn’t offer catharsis. Instead, he leaves viewers with ambiguity and trauma, questioning how Polly — or any child — could return to normal after such experiences. The final act echoes the emotional weight of a Lynne Ramsay film, with no easy closure.

Noteworthy Elements

• Brilliant chemistry between Egerton and Heger

• Layered screenplay by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski, adapted from Jordan Harper’s novel

• Subtle commentary on masculinity, morality, and emotional inheritance

• A grimy, atmospheric visual style paired with moments of unexpected tenderness

She Rides Shotgun is a gripping, genre-defying thriller that explores the emotional fallout of violence through a unique lens. With raw performances, especially from Ana Sophia Heger, and nuanced direction, it’s more than just a shoot-’em-up — it’s a haunting portrait of innocence under siege.