A Crime Thriller Lost in the Woods
Out of Death, directed by Mike Burns, is a low-budget action thriller that attempts to combine wilderness survival with small-town corruption, all centered around a retired cop caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Featuring Bruce Willis in one of his later-career roles, the film delivers a familiar story with minimal stakes and uneven execution.
The plot follows Shannon (Jaime King), a grieving woman who accidentally photographs a corrupt police officer committing a murder while hiking in a remote forest. Hunted by the dirty cops, she crosses paths with Jack Harris (Bruce Willis), a retired detective mourning the loss of his wife. Despite wanting a peaceful life, Jack steps in to help Shannon survive and expose the truth.
The film is set in a single day and mostly unfolds in the woods, relying heavily on cat-and-mouse tension. While this setup has potential, the film struggles with pacing and believability. The action is slow, and the characters often make questionable decisions that undercut the suspense.
Bruce Willis, though top-billed, has limited screen time and minimal dialogue, reportedly due to health issues affecting his performance. Jaime King does her best to carry the emotional and physical weight of the film, but the script gives her little depth to work with.
Visually, the film has some natural beauty thanks to its forest setting, but the direction and editing feel rushed. The villains are one-dimensional, and the dialogue is often awkward or overly dramatic.
Out of Death tries to deliver a gritty survival thriller but ends up feeling more like a made-for-TV movie with a recognizable face on the poster. For die-hard Bruce Willis fans, it might be worth a glance, but for most viewers, it's a forgettable journey through the woods.
