Peppermint is a 2018 action thriller directed by Pierre Morel and starring Jennifer Garner in a fierce and physically demanding role. Best known for her work in drama and family films, Garner makes a striking return to the action genre with this film, delivering a performance filled with intensity, grief, and steely determination.
The story centers around Riley North, a devoted wife and mother whose life is shattered when her husband and young daughter are gunned down in a drive-by shooting. The crime is connected to a powerful drug cartel, and when the justice system fails to bring the killers to account—due to corruption, threats, and manipulation—Riley vanishes. Five years later, she reemerges, transformed into a lethal vigilante determined to dismantle the cartel and punish everyone responsible for destroying her family.
Peppermint doesn’t break new ground in the revenge-thriller genre, but it thrives on its relentless pace and Garner’s compelling presence. As Riley, she is both emotionally wounded and physically unstoppable. Her journey is brutal, filled with hand-to-hand combat, shootouts, and calculated takedowns across Los Angeles. The film leans into the gritty realism of street justice, drawing comparisons to titles like John Wick or The Punisher, though with a more grounded, personal lens.
The title "Peppermint" refers to her daughter’s favorite ice cream flavor—an innocent symbol turned bitter reminder of what was lost. It also reflects the blend of sweetness and cold vengeance that defines Riley's transformation.
Critically, the film received mixed reviews. Some praised Garner’s return to action and the raw emotional stakes, while others criticized the film’s simplicity and reliance on familiar tropes. However, fans of revenge stories and fast-paced action found satisfaction in watching an ordinary woman become an unstoppable force.
Visually, the film uses dark, moody tones and urban grit to match its themes of justice and retribution. The choreography is sharp and efficient, with Garner performing many of her own stunts, giving credibility to Riley’s transformation into a warrior of vengeance.
In the end, Peppermint is not just a story of revenge—it’s a story of a mother who refuses to be silenced. It explores the cost of justice when the system fails and the strength one can summon when love turns to loss and grief gives way to fury. Jennifer Garner commands the screen with emotional depth and raw power, making Peppermint a brutal, action-packed ride.
