Armor (2024) | Film Review

There can often be something inherently traumatic about any film revolving around a protagonist confined to an isolated location. Films such as Phone Book or The Mist build tension around the very concept that you are quite literally only safe in your character’s one designated location. With Jason Patric and Sylvester Stallone in his arsenal, director Justin Routt takes his shot at the genre with Armor.

The film opens with the indication that a heist is being planned, and after an extended padding of credits, we meet James (Jason Patric). A stoic family man with a complicated past, James is an alcoholic who denies his addiction by attending AA meetings and confirming to all that he is stone sober. James is also an armored truck driver partnered with his son, Casey (Josh Wiggins), who seems to find this time with his dad optimal for parental bonding exercises. Unfortunately, today is going to be a very long day.

Along their route, Rook (Sylvester Stallone) and his merry gang of hijackers are planning to rob this armored truck, and their ensuing pursuit leads them to an abandoned bridge where the truck is blown to its side. Jason and a wounded Casey hole up in the back, where the bandits cannot access them, and a battle of wits to either entice Jason to open the doors or Rook’s team will blow them off ensues.

The concept of Armor is a fascinating one: with the clock ticking, can you outlast a gang of banditos before your son dies in your arms? There are countless possibilities with this take, and the bones of an intriguing premise are here. That said, the script (credited to Adrian Speckert and Cory Todd Hughes) quickly fizzles that potential with villains who make little sense – Rook’s team spends a ridiculous amount of time unconcerned with when police might arrive as they squander hours yelling at a metal door – and dialogue that, at best, rarely comes across as genuine.

While none of Rook’s crew prove particularly memorable, Sylvester Stallone still delivers his trademark gravitas, improving every scene he is in despite working with a less-than-stellar script. Jason Patric, on the other hand, elevates his material. Though his dialogue is rather mundane as well, Patric seizes the opportunity to imbed pathos in his portrayal of James. There is a determination and brokenness to Patric’s portrayal that leaves the audience with a character to both root for and empathize with, carrying us along as he desperately fights to save his son.

Director Justin Routt works with what he has, and there are moments where the underlying promise of what could have been shines through. Unfortunately, those elements are fleeting, rarely piercing this script’s Armor.

Listen to our full podcast review of Armor on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: