Shelter movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: Shelter

This movie can be rented or purchased on Amazon at https://amzn.to/47duk2t

It’s not available on other streaming platforms yet.

RATING: PG-13 (for intense action violence, language, and thematic elements)

LENGTH: 1 hour 47 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Shelter is a gritty, fast-paced action thriller starring Jason Statham as a highly trained operative who is forced out of hiding to protect an innocent girl when his carefully constructed refuge is threatened. Fans of Statham’s no-nonsense action style will feel right at home with intense violence and a somber tone.

Jason Statham was the one who approached Ric Roman Waugh to direct the film. Waugh had just finished directing Greenland 2: Migration , and had planned on taking a long break. The break was postponed to make this movie. You can check out my review of Greenland 2 here on my website or on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel!

Ric Roman Waugh said the script for this movie reminded him of the 1950’s cowboy movie Shane. That was one of my father’s favorite movies!

Writing credits go to Ward Parry.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Alcohol
Various weapons are used: knives, guns, explosives, fists.
Very high dead-body count.
Lots of violence and destruction.
High-stakes peril.

THEMES:

• Protection of the innocent
• Redemption
• Sacrifice
• The cost of violence
• Loyalty versus humanity

THINGS I LIKED:

• Jason Statham delivers exactly what his fans expect: controlled intensity, physical credibility, and minimal wasted dialogue. The director praised him for his commitment to the movie by doing some very dangerous stunts himself, including the ones we see where he is on rocky cliffs. This is the third movie he has done where his mission has been to protect a young girl. The first two were the 2012 movie Safe and the other was the 2013 movie Homefront. He told the crew how much he enjoyed playing a man who isn’t a robotic killing machine, but one who has become a survivor due to circumstances.

The young actress who plays the girl that Jason Statham protects in the story (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) did a great job looking scared and keeping up with Statham. The film crew nicknamed her “Action Bodhi.” Cute. She made her feature film debut in Hamnet, which came out in 2025. I love her cute British accent.
Harriet Walter plays the British Prime Minister for the third time in a production!
I’ve always been a fan of Academy Award-winning Bill Nighy. He plays such memorable characters. I’m a sucker for his subtle facial expressions.
• The practical stunts and grounded fight choreography give Statham fans what they love.
• There’s a strong sense of urgency throughout the film, which keeps your heart pounding.
• The emotional motivation behind the action feels sincere rather than forced.
Fun fact: At the beginning of the movie, Jason Statham’s character is living in an old lighthouse. It was built by an art department team, who then sent it to the UK, where they used it for some scenes in the movie Hamnet!
The movie is supposed to take place in Scotland; however, it was actually filmed in the Republic of Ireland, where filming is less expensive.
Jason Statham explained at the movie’s World Premiere in London that, “What makes this film different is that it has more of a thriller element to it compared to straight action films.”
Fun fact: One of the members of the Irish rock band called “Eldars” can be seen in the movie! Have you ever heard their music?
Fun fact: Jason Statham’s real-life pet dog is in the movie! It’s a sweet, yet vicious German Shepherd when needed in the story.
We get to travel to Ireland and Spain in the film! I love traveling in real life, as well as in movies.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• The plot follows familiar action-movie formulas. Been there, done that.
• Supporting characters could have been more fully developed
• The violence can feel repetitive rather than escalating.
• Very little humor or emotional relief between action sequences.

In the first 10 minutes, nothing happens. Then, there are 5 minutes of action. Then, it’s slow again for another 10-15 minutes. Once the action finally starts up, it keeps going until the end.
When the movie first showed at the 2024 Cannes Film Market, it didn’t have a title. After waiting 18 months, they announced that the film would be called “Shelter.” Honestly, I think they could have picked a better name. First of all, that title has been used COUNTLESS times in other films. Secondly, it doesn’t accurately describe the content of the story.
Some viewers might be annoyed by the pounding music in the background during most of the film.

FUNNY LINES:

There are no funny moments at all. The film takes itself seriously from beginning to end.

INTERESTING LINES:

The dialogue focuses more on survival, duty, and consequences rather than memorable one-liners.

“You put your conscience first and the mission second.” – Manafort (Bill Nighy) “I finally put humanity over blind obedience.” – Mason (Jason Statham)

“You really think you can outrun what you are. We are who we are, Mason.” – Manafort (Bill Nighy)

Jason Statham MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• The Beekeeper: https://moviereviewmom.com/the-beekeeper-movie-review/
• Safe: https://amzn.to/3ZVvv2L
• Wrath of Man: https://moviereviewmom.com/wrath-of-man-movie-review-2021/

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@MovieReviewMom @TrinaBoice

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