Directed by Padraic McKinley
Where & When: AMC The Americana at Brand 18, Glendale, CA. September 19, 2026 4:40 PM
"The Weight" is a depression-era thriller about a man who ends up in an Oregon prison camp and made an offer to become involved in a dangerous heist through rough and dangerous terrain for a chance of early freedom. This feature film directorial debut from Padraic McKinley, who has spent a large part of his career as an editor, is a solid, polished yet surprisingly understated drama, with this perilous adventure never able to overcome a narrative that ends up being predictable and overly familiar.
Much like many people during this harrowing time in America, Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke) was struggling to survive and find some kind of steady employment. Raising his young daughter, Penny (Avy Berry) alone, just makes his life even more of a challenge. After being evicted the old-fashioned way, with the locks changed and all of their belongings put out on the street, Murphy's situation grows grim. But his problems have only just begun for while searching for a new place to live, some men come up to him aggressively questioning their presence at a building and a physical altercation ensues. These men did not identify themselves as police and Murphy ends up forced to serve time in a prison work camp.
While in the camp, Murphy tries to keep a low profile but does reveal that he's skilled and resourceful with experience as a mechanic, bringing him to the attention of Warden Clancy (Russell Crowe). The Warden invites Murphy to his home, asking questions about his life and getting a feel for his character, and later makes him a proposal that will be hard to refuse. With a small crew of fellow prisoners of his own choosing, Murphy will have to smuggle gold bars out from a soon-to-be abandoned mine across a treacherous wilderness over several days and in exchange, he will receive an early release before his daughter becomes a ward to the state.
Fresh off of his Oscar-nominated performance for playing lyricist, Lorenz Hart in the biopic, "Blue Moon", this film offers Hawke another opportunity to showcase his range and versatility. As a father simply just trying to raise his child yet keeps finding himself relentlessly being put through treacherous situations and moral conflicts that test his resolve, the actor commands the screen, expertly capturing his unwavering determination. Having to largely lead this mission and rely on a trio of dubious convicts (Austin Amelio, Avi Nash and Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen), a couple of Clancy's men (Sam Hazeldine, George Burgess) and an Indigenous woman (Julia Jones) who coerces them to allow her to tag along, in order to complete this task, Murphy has to deal with the unexpected complications and manage the personal conflicts, remaining focused through it all so he can be reunited with his daughter.
As I was watching "The Weight", I kept waiting for something (anything) in this story that would offer an unexpected moment or some kind of shocking incident. Yet it never materialized as the rote screenplay from Matthew Booi and Shelby Gaines stuck closely to routine plot developments and expected outcomes. McKinley (who also edited the film along with Matthew Woolley) does manage to display skills as a filmmaker, keeping the pace energized, the action riveting and getting strong performances from his actors. But "The Weight" is never able to rise above your standard thriller, keeping the film entertaining yet mundane.
With the cinematographer, Matteo Cocco exquisitely capturing the scenic, tranquil wilderness that is offset by abrupt violent disruptions, "The Weight" takes you on a good old-fashioned, suspenseful thrill ride that is balanced by male camaraderie and emotional drama. The outcome might remain standard issued but the film still delivers strong moments that excites and captivates.
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