Shadow Force is a 2025 action thriller directed by Joe Carnahan and written by Leon Chills and Joe Carnahan. The film stars Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as Kyrah and Isaac, former leaders of a covert special forces unit who fall in love, breaking the organisation’s rules, and must go on the run to protect their son.
Rated 18+ for its intense action and mature themes, the film delivers high-stakes drama and explosive scenes. Kerry Washington also co-produced the movie, which was released in theatres on May 9, 2025.
The Premise
Shadow Force tells the story of Kyrah and Isaac, former elite operatives in a covert organisation known as the Shadow Force, who broke the rules by falling in love and choosing to walk away. Together, they have a son, who stays hidden with Isaac while Kyrah travels the world, quietly eliminating threats to protect their little family.
They’ve lived off the grid for years, until Isaac gets caught on a security camera during a tense standoff at a bank. That one moment blows their cover. Now their former leader, Jack, who has a personal vendetta, puts an even bigger price on their heads. Backed by G7 leaders, he labels them dangerous fugitives.
Kyrah, furious that Isaac exposed their son, a boy she hasn’t seen in five years, comes back into the picture. With their enemies closing in, they’re hunted by the people they once called allies, betrayed by old friends, and pushed to their limits. But Kyrah and Isaac are determined to end the chase once and for all, so they can finally stop running and be a family again.
Cast and Performances
Kerry Washington takes on the role of Kyrah, a tough, skilled heroine who shoots and fights through danger without breaking a sweat. She fits the action mould well, but her connection with her son felt a little flat. Maybe it was intentional, considering she’s been away from him for years, but the emotional bond never quite landed on screen.
Omar Sy plays Isaac, Kyrah’s husband, and brings a convincing presence to the action scenes. Fans of Lupin will recognise his calm but capable energy, and he carries it well here too. Mark Strong steps in as Jack, the cold and calculating Shadow Force leader. He would seem an odd choice for a villain role, but he slips right into character. The script didn’t give him much to work with, but he still stands out.
Jahleel Kamara, who plays the couple’s 5-year-old son Ky, is 8 in real life and no stranger to the screen. With previous roles like Manifest under his belt, his performance here was commendable. He brought a playful yet grounded presence to the film, holding his own alongside the adult leads.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Method Man show up as fellow operatives, allies to Kyrah. While their roles make sense in the bigger picture, their parts felt a bit muddled and underdeveloped. Still, their inclusion added some energy and familiarity to the ensemble.
What I liked
It was refreshing to see Kerry Washington step into a full-blown action role. That tough, fearless energy we loved in Scandal showed up here too. As a fan of female action leads, I enjoyed watching her go all in, taking down enemies with precision.
Seeing Omar Sy, the star of Lupin, in a Hollywood action flick also added some excitement. Their son in the film wasn’t just a background character either. He had personality, threw in some sharp lines, and felt like part of the action, not just a plot device. That helped ground the story a bit. Even though the film moved fast, those moments stood out in a good way.
What Didn’t Work
Shadow Force had a lot of potential, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. The storyline felt rushed, like everything was happening too fast without giving enough time to build real tension or excitement. For a movie that’s meant to be an action thriller, there were light moments that made it hard to tell what kind of movie it wanted to be.
Some scenes didn’t feel real at all. For example, there’s a moment where their young son is standing in the middle of a bank shootout and somehow doesn’t get hurt; it just didn’t make sense. Also, the movie felt very similar to Back in Action with Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, but Shadow Force didn’t have the same fun or strong action. By the time it ended, it didn’t leave much of an impression. It was easy to forget.
Final Thoughts
Shadow Force tries to blend action, family drama, and comedy, but struggles to fully deliver on any front. While it’s fun to see Kerry Washington in a different kind of role and Omar Sy bringing his usual charm, the rushed plot and uneven tone hold the film back. There are some enjoyable moments, but they don’t quite add up to something memorable.
Rating
I would rate Shadow Force 2 out of 5 stars.
What do you think? Did Shadow Force do enough to stand out? Let us know in the comments.
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