The word reckoning is defined as the process of calculating, estimating, or settling accounts. It has also been implied that it is the act of confronting consequences or retribution for one's actions. Therefore, it stands to reason that anyone on the wrong side of the law generally thinks about their "day of reckoning". The day when they can't outrun the law anymore, they end up getting arrested and standing trial for their crimes. However, almost anyone can have a day where they must account for their actions, regardless of how good or bad they are in life, which is one of the many concepts explored in director Shaun Silva's feature film debut, Day of Reckoning.
Sheriff John Dorsey (Zach Roering; The Vampire Diaries) runs the police department in a little midwest town where nothing much ever happens. U.S. Marshal Butch Hayden (Billy Zane; Titanic) has been hunting down bank robber Kyle Musk (Scott Adkins; John Wick: Chapter 4) for a few years and through several states. When Hayden tracks Rusk to a farm on the outskirts of Sheriff Dorsey's town and holds Rusk's wife, Emily (Cara Jade Myers; Killers of the Flower Moon) as collateral, Dorsey finds himself in for more than he bargained for.
What starts off as your typical mid-west bank robbery turned standoff at the OK Corral, Day of Reckoning becomes something much deeper and thought-provoking. For you see, Dorsey is a cut-and-dry, by-the-book kind of guy, but the more he witnesses what is going on and the more he talks to Emily, he realizes that maybe she isn't all bad and perhaps Marshal Hayden isn't all good. Dorsey then has to make several tough choices before deciding whether or not to release Emily or to arrest her.
Roerig is mostly known to the hormonally teenage, female population for his role as the nice guy next door character, Matt, from the hit television series, The Vampire Diaries. Zane was the villain in the major motion picture Titanic, and here we see sprinklings of that former character as he once again portrays a man who doesn't really understand that he is one of the villains in this scenario. Myers is truly the standout amongst a talented cast. Her character is. Complex, conflicted, and can be ruthless when necessary, and Mayers does a fantastic job of playing her as such. In fact, she is so convincing, the audience wants to root for her even though she isn't really all that innocent in this situation.
First-time script writer Travis J. Opgenorth gives audiences something to think about and gives Emily a mouthful of wisdom and quick-witted comebacks that make her likable despite the fact that she is trying to hurt the people holding her captive. However, there are also moments when the dialogue is less mature and polished, and perhaps Opgenorth wanted it that way to create a divide between Emily and most of the men she is surrounded by throughout the film.
Day of Reckoning does have a moral and lessons to teach, which some might find off-putting, but it also begins as one thing and evolves into something more, which is a pleasant surprise. Of course, like many low-budget films, there are some lesser actors and extras who can't act, and more than once, I found myself cringing as to how a line was delivered. However, there are so many positive check marks with this movie that I can overlook a flaw or two.
As the old saying goes, never judge a book by its cover, because if you do, you could miss out on an enjoyable film with some strong performances. While I doubt Day of Reckoning will win any Oscars, I do think it is worth watching at least once.
Grade: C+
