★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Akilla’s Escape is a Canadian crime thriller that attempts to inject character into tired, trope-heavy genre. The film succeeds in creating a likeable silent hero in Akilla (Saul Williams), a man who has made plenty of mistakes and is determined to leave his life of crime behind him. When faced with the opportunity to help Sheppard (Thamela Mpumlwana), a boy whose fate seems to be leading him down a similar path, our protagonist ends up roped back into the world he was so determined to leave behind.

The characters and their histories certainly add a unique perspective to this genre. After all, how many Jamaican-Canadian crime thrillers have been made over the last ten years? But unfortunately, no amount of intriguing backstory is enough to paper over the more than familiar plot devices that run the rest of the story. From mysterious, overly powerful crime bosses to a shootout in an abandoned warehouse, Akilla’s Escape doesn’t leave a lasting mark on its genre. The film is a great watch for those who love a good crime thriller, regardless of how predictable it is, but those looking for something more may leave dissatisfied.

Check out our (slightly more) in depth podcast review + rating below! Podcast music by Brian K.S. Cole.