Mar. 11, 2017|United States|86 Min.|n/A
Genre: Action
Description: The Archer is a 2017 action thriller that explores a gripping storyline inspired by true events. The film opens with Lauren Pierce, a high-achieving high school student with no prior record of trouble. Her life takes a drastic turn when she intervenes in a conflict between her best friend and her friend’s abusive boyfriend. The altercation results in the boyfriend being hospitalized, and Lauren is charged with assault. Her defense weakens when her friend fails to appear in court to support her claim of self-defense.
With her legal rights waived by her passive mother, Lauren receives an unexpectedly harsh sentence. Instead of a minor punishment, she is sent to a remote juvenile detention facility run by a judge who treats young offenders like hardened criminals. The facility, ironically named Paradise Trails, is far from idyllic. Located in the desert mountains east of Los Angeles, it is overseen by the strict warden Bob and his son Michael, who takes sadistic pleasure in his role as a guard.
Lauren initially seems to have an advantage due to her exceptional archery skills, which impress Bob, a bow-hunting enthusiast. However, the reality of her situation soon becomes clear as she navigates the grim and exploitative environment. The film blends elements of prison drama, wilderness survival, and suspense, drawing parallels to real-life scandals involving the corruption of juvenile justice systems.
Despite its competent execution, the movie struggles to balance its fictional narrative with the gravity of the real-world issues it references. Its attempt to highlight a tragic institutional scandal inadvertently comes across as a melodramatic exploitation of a serious topic. The Archer ultimately serves as a mix of action and drama, though its connection to actual events raises questions about its sincerity and depth.
Cast director: Valerie Weiss
Cast actor: Bailey Noble, Jeanine Mason, Michael Grant Terry, Bill Sage, Dendrie Taylor, Kyanna Simone Simpson, Alexis Rosinsky
Original name: The Archer