Riot Girls is a 2019 genre flick taking place in a post-apocalyptic world where two gangs go against each other for survival.
There’s just something fascinating about the post-apocalyptic setting where many filmmakers are interested in elevating in their films. Riot Girls takes that concept in a familiar yet highly entertaining way with some great characters and fun action sequences. Directed by Jovanka Vuckovic in her feature debut, it also stars a strong cast of talented actors such as Paloma Kwiatkowski, Madison Iseman and Munro Chambers delivering some highly memorable performances. By adding a 90s punk vibe and a Degrassi high school feel to the premise, it stands out as a unique and stylish popcorn flick.
Riot Girls takes place in a world where all the adults have tragically been killed by a mysterious plague, and the kids have to fend for themselves in order to survive. The movie mainly focuses on a small town where it’s divided into two sections: the West and the East. The West is taken over by the rich kids called the Titans, and it’s ruled by the menacing jock named Jeremy (Chambers) who shows no mercy to his enemies whatsoever. They even have their own motto that demands strength, power and respect. And the East is filled with punks living in poverty and trying to survive against the vicious Titans. The two main protagonists Nat and Scratch (Iseman and Kwiatkowski) now have to go on a mission to save their friend Jack (Alexandre Bourgeois) who has been kidnapped by the Westsiders, and we have ourselves a really fun adventure!
The story starts with a comic book style intro, and it’s a smart way to set up the overall stylish and playful vibe of the film. Riot Girls truly feels like a graphic novel adaptation, especially the more you see this world and these characters come to life on screen. The director doesn’t hold back, making this highly entertaining yet gritty at the same time. Both Iseman and Kwiatkowski carry the film as the likeable duo Nat and Scratch, and they also share some emotional and compelling moments. It’s inspiring watching seeing these two misfits stand up for themselves against the evil Titans. You can tell Vuckovic wants the audience to connect with these two on a personal level, and it’s definitely one of the most memorable aspects of the experience. However, Chambers steals the show. As an actor, he’s quite impressive when it comes to playing villains, especially if you’ve seen him in Mike Peterson’s intense flick Knuckleball. Whenever he’s on screen, he immediately grabs your attention. While the Titans are undeniably one-dimensional caricatures at times, that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun, particularly their charismatic yet villainous leader Jeremy.
If you’re looking for a stylish movie with some good action and impactful characters, well, look no further. Riot Girls is one of the most satisfying and entertaining films to come about. As Vuckovic’s directorial debut, it’s a terrific showcase for her talents that should have you looking forward to what she’ll do next.