Trigger Warning is the kind of movie you often approach with low expectations, only to end up pleasantly surprised if you’re in the right mood for a high-octane experience. The relentless action from start to finish ensures audiences are kept on the edge of their seats. The film kicks off in a quintessentially anonymous desert setting, packed with a thrilling chase and a barrage of flying bullets. Special Forces commando Parker, portrayed by Jessica Alba, efficiently takes down the anonymous villains in a display of combat prowess.
The narrative then swiftly introduces a twist of personal tragedy. Parker receives the devastating news that her father, Harry (Alejandro De Hoyos), has suddenly died. This revelation brings her back to her picturesque yet mysteriously named hometown, Creation. Here, she discovers she has inherited not just the family bar but a labyrinth of secrets and lies waiting to be unraveled. Her return to Creation also brings her face to face with her former boyfriend and the current sheriff, Jesse (Mark Webber). Together, they delve into the mysteries surrounding her father’s death, which occurred in a perplexing explosion at a local mine. This is particularly surprising to Parker, given her father’s intimate knowledge of the mine—a place he had transformed into his own quirky “man cave in a cave.”
As Parker navigates her way through the enigmatic circumstances of her father’s demise, she comes across newly installed surveillance cameras at the mine. She enlists the help of her covert operations partner and hacker, Spider (Tone Bell), to scrutinize the footage. From this point, the plot begins to unravel dramatically. The town’s senator, Swann, portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall, and Jesse’s brother, Elvis (Jake Weary), emerge as potential culprits behind the nefarious activities plaguing Creation.
. Additionally, Mike (Gabriel Basso), a local who cultivates marijuana, becomes another ally Parker can rely on in her quest for justice.
The storyline doesn’t shy away from incorporating various elements of high-stakes drama. There’s an evident threat to national security from another almost faceless terrorist, supplemented with a succession of explosions, firefights, and even a slight brush with torture. Yet, through all this chaos, it’s clear that justice will ultimately prevail—an assurance subtly delivered via radio in the film’s closing scenes. Notably, first-time director Mouly Surya, collaborating with Alba, introduces Indonesian knife fighting into the mix, adding a unique and intimate layer to the otherwise typical Hollywood action sequences.
Jessica Alba delivers a remarkably convincing performance as Parker, blending the stoic resilience of characters such as Jack Reacher and John Rambo with the intricate combat style of John Wick. Much like these iconic nomadic warriors, Parker also finds herself in an obscure small town, exposing a grand conspiracy with equal parts physical strength and intellectual acumen. Alba’s portrayal is nuanced enough to depict a seasoned warrior sensible enough to braid her hair before chasing after the bad guys—a practical detail that echoes cinematic precedents like Furiosa and Ripley, who, symbolically, shaved their heads to avoid any distraction during combat.
Despite the film’s share of criticisms, it does not deserve the overwhelming negative reception it has garnered. To dismiss Trigger Warning as a lackluster action flick would be unfair. Instead, it stands as a well-crafted action movie, headlined by a believable and dedicated Jessica Alba. While it certainly left room for improvement, it is far from deserving of extreme disparagement. To its credit, the film succeeds in presenting an efficient and thoroughly entertaining action piece, achieving what many of its counterparts aim for but often fail to deliver.
Alba’s commanding screen presence and her ability to handle the film’s physical and emotional demands with conviction make Trigger Warning a noteworthy addition to the genre. The film is currently available for streaming on Netflix, inviting action enthusiasts and casual viewers alike to engage in its gripping, albeit occasionally formulaic, narrative journey.
