Trigger Warning: Is Jessica Alba’s Action Comeback a Hit or a Miss?
A highly skilled commando, Parker (Jessica Alba), returns to her hometown in New Mexico only to discover that her father has died in a suspicious mine collapse. Something tells her that the powerful Swann family, led by the politically influential Ezekiel (Anthony Michael Hall), is involved in his untimely demise. Parker must uncover a criminal conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of power.
Jessica Alba as Parker in “Trigger Warning”
Every Hollywood star harbors an inner John Wick or Rambo, just waiting to be unleashed. Now, it’s Jessica Alba’s turn – an actress who has been navigating the industry’s gray areas for a decade. When the former star of Robert Rodriguez’s films appears on screen, it’s often just to remind audiences that she’s still around (many have already forgotten). Netflix’s action genre isn’t faring much better; among its vast output, action films have earned a less-than-stellar reputation. The media giant can easily throw money away, delivering viewers “Red Notice,” “The Gray Man,” or, at worst, “Rebel Moon.” Unfortunately, Indonesian director Mouly Surya seems to have followed this same ill-fated path, creating streaming content to fill the platform’s programming slots instead of crafting a memorable film.
Jessica Alba as Parker in “Trigger Warning”
“Trigger Warning” has already faced a barrage of negative reviews, with critics rightly calling it a waste of potential and the perfect cure for insomnia. What’s most amusing is that the film doesn’t gradually decline in quality; it plummets from the start with a cheesy action prologue in the Middle East. Here, characters pose with knives and awkwardly hit each other with rifles, leaving viewers confused about what’s happening. The overloaded script triggers reactions ranging from utter bewilderment to a desire to switch off the TV. What feels like two hours stretches into three or four as Alba’s character searches for the truth behind her father’s sudden death, repeatedly stabbing enemies in the neck. Sadly, this trope is exploited from the opening credits to the end. Moreover, the choreography in “Trigger Warning” is poorly executed, and viewers accustomed to action spectacles like the John Wick franchise will feel cheated. And in this case, they would be right.
Jessica Alba as Parker in “Trigger Warning”
As the super-commando unearths the dirty details of the tragedy, involving politicians, arms cartels, and corrupt police officers, the film fails to develop their characters. They remain mere statues in a lazy and merciless narrative. Even worse, the genre structure is unclear, as the film tries to be a militaristic version of “Road House,” a female iteration of “Rambo,” and a collection of third-rate Westerns and crime thrillers from cable services. Perhaps the film would have had a chance if Surya had relied on more refined and reliable material.
Action Sequences Fall Flat
Even the action sequences – the supposed highlight of the cinematic show – fizzle out prematurely. From scene to scene, viewers are dragged through dark rooms, corridors, backwater bars, and abandoned buildings, all without playfulness, inventiveness, or any sense of style. All the tired tropes and clichés of action films are presented without any self-awareness – everything is straightforward. And, ultimately, Jessica Alba doesn’t quite fit the role of a vengeful woman. Perhaps this prospect seemed appealing back in her “Sin City” days (from dancing to fighting is a small step, and she was indeed the queen of dance), but certainly not today.