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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
The thumbnail photo for this article is credited to Fade to Black LLC.
Delmar Washington and Tucker Morgan’s No Running is the first film that I watched at Tribeca Film Festival. I felt it was a good introduction to what the festival is all about. In this review, I will discuss their science-fiction mystery thriller project. Minor spoilers are included, as the title of this article suggests.
Plot Summary
As part of Tribeca’s Juneteenth programming set, the following is the synopsis of the film (as per the Tribeca website).
When a young Black man’s girlfriend mysteriously disappears, he’s forced to go on the run, staying one step ahead of suspicious police to clear his name and to find out if otherworldly forces are to blame.
Skylan Brooks portrays the film’s protagonist, Jaylen Brown, while Clark Backo plays Brown’s “girlfriend,” Amira Woods. Diamond White, Christine Abernathy, and Taryn Manning play Brown’s relatives, Simone, Mom, and Aunt Suzy, respectively.
Shane West plays the film’s primary antagonist, Sheriff O’Hare, while Michael Shamus Wiles plays his father, O’Hare Sr. Bill Engvall, Hart Denton, and Zak Steiner play Tim Bradley, Trev, and Brown’s bully, Brock, respectively.
Discussion
No Running possesses a great narrative for what it’s worth. Washington’s direction and Morgan’s screenwriting are merit-worthy. The racial tension between the white and the only Black individuals in the film’s small-town setting is evident. We also see a splash of white privilege present in the story. Plot-centered themes such as these comprise a story that shows the audience what seems necessary to be known on the surface. Although, under the layers of these themes, there are root concepts presented through the symbolic devices of the narrative.
The use of in media res was great. If the narrative didn’t start the way it does, that would have been rather stressful and confusing to take in.
Juan Sebastian Baron and Shaw Fisher’s cinematography has great framing, adding to the layered exhibition of the narrative. For example, I would refer to Brown in the water or when he comes to in the crashed vehicle. I very much liked the scene in the town library. However, the montage that occurs there comes pretty fast. I don’t know if I could attribute Adam Tyree’s editing to that little detail about that scene. Nonetheless, some rewinding helped, and I could try to tie the details shown here to the rest of the film’s minutiae.
Performances
With a one-hour and twenty-five-minute runtime, I wanted an exploration of these characters’ stories. Brooks does well as the film’s protagonist, Brown, holding all the pains and anxieties of being Black. He does a great job working with the rest of the characters, absolutely magnificent.
My main issue is the insufficient development of the supporting characters. I would like to know more about Brown’s love interest and family members. On that note, of course, I wonder if expanding their backgrounds would have a greater effect on the story. These characters seem to be fine as they are, from what we’re shown. With that said, the women’s sizeable roles are great. Yet, I believe they still fail the Bechdel Test.
I do have similar issues with the other characters, such as Tim, Trev, and Brock, albeit perhaps not as much. Shane West does well as the film’s antagonist who has underlying intentions connected to the story’s conflict. Knowing him from Fox’s Gotham, I felt he would do decent at the very least.
Final Thoughts
No Running felt too fast-paced for a science-fiction mystery thriller, leaning toward mystery and thriller. I would have liked to see more science-fiction elements, but that’s just my initial reaction to the film. Its ending is not to my liking at first. Although, after speaking with Washington and Morgan, my perception of the final scene changed. Really, the way it ends is up to the viewer’s subjective interpretation.
With the exception of the ending, I personally don’t know if the events of the film are deserving of its title. Is it that ominous warning to stop running, or could it mean something else? Overall, with this film, you might like what this cast and crew have to offer.
No Running is now available to watch at Tribeca!
Have you seen this film? If you have already, what are your thoughts on it? Let us know! For more mystery, science-fiction, and thriller-related news and reviews, follow The Cinema Spot on Twitter (@TheCinemaSpot) and Instagram (@thecinemaspot_). You can also catch us on Facebook (TheCinemaSpotFB)!
Stay tuned for my brief interview with the film’s director and writer, conducted earlier this week.
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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