• Home
• The Independent

Page

The Independent

• Summary
• How to watch
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:16

The Independent

Save

• Crime/detective
• Thriller

• 2022
• Amy Rice
• 108 mins
• 15

Summary

During the final weeks of the most consequential presidential election campaign in US history, America is poised to elect either its first female president or finally break the country's two-party gridlock with its first viable independent candidate. An idealistic young journalist gets an opportunity to work with her idol, veteran Washington political columnist Nick Booker. Eli is pursuing a story about budget cuts and by following the money, she and Booker uncover a financial conspiracy that places the fate of the election, the country, and democracy in their hands. Director Amy Rice's drama, starring Jodie Turner-Smith, Brian Cox, John Cena and Luke Kirby

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Kevin Harley

Celebrity politics and journalistic ethics clash in this shallow but watchable conspiracy drama. Jodie Turner-Smith plays Eli James, an ambitious reporter who uncovers a scandal involving John Cena's independent presidential candidate. A former athlete, he's now touting himself as the alternative to America's two-party deadlock. Though Stephen Lang's gruff editor gives Eli short shrift, Brian Cox's hard-nosed columnist believes she's on to something and helps her pursue the story. Director Amy Rice, who has a background in documentaries, briskly establishes the set-up and characters, only to stumble over forced subplots and implausible plot twists. Eli's investigation proceeds too conveniently, while detours into her family crises and love life feel contrived, and the corny newsroom dialogue rarely convinces. But the cast is engaging, with Turner-Smith making for a dogged lead, and Cox captivates as the veteran pundit making one last stand for a beleaguered press.

imdb-square

5.8/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• NOW
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameElisha "Eli" JamesJodie Turner-SmithNick BookerBrian Cox (1)Lucas NicollLuke KirbyPatricia TurnbullAnn DowdNate SterlingJohn CenaGordon WhiteStephen LangJustinMichael Gandolfini

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorAmy Rice

Details

Languages

English

Formats

Colour

News & features about The Independent

• 
  
  Get Out wins big at Independent Spirit Awards
  
  And Timothée Chalamet pulls off a massive victory

• 
  
  Craig Fairbrass confirms Villain 2 is halfway through filming – and calls sequel "brutal"
  
  The Eddie Franks actor has teased an intense follow-up – with plans already being discussed for the story to grow further.

  Ad

• 
  
  Mandy star Diane Morgan addresses axed Christmas special
  
  The unexpected schedule change was "due to world events".

• 
  
  Anne Hathaway thriller Verity gets early Rotten Tomatoes score following first wave of reviews
  
  The latest Coleen Hoover adaptation has suffered a similar critical fate to the previous three...

• 
  
  Tom Cruise’s new film Digger flops at the box office amid divisive critical reception
  
  The satire from Alejandro G Iñárritu might have to wave goodbye to any awards hopes.

• 
  
  BBC reveals it has no plans to air Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone season 2 after "unacceptable" social media posts
  
  The second run of the BBC Three documentary was filmed earlier this year.

• 
  
  Sex Education star's "subversive" and "bold" new film gets UK streaming release date
  
  Hot Milk first arrived in cinemas earlier this month.

  Ad

• 
  
  Tom Cruise's much-anticipated Digger gets early Rotten Tomatoes score revealed following first reviews
  
  Could its Oscar chances already be over...?

• 
  
  Daveigh Chase, The Ring and Lilo & Stitch star, dies aged 35
  
  Chase passed away on Tuesday 16 June, it has been reported.

• 
  
  Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan addresses on-screen tension with Kaleb Cooper
  
  And where they stand now...

• 
  
  Former James Bond casting maestro reveals issue with casting 'favourites' like Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson
  
  Debbie McWilliams says the next Bond needs to be "a total enigma", not a famous face.

• 
  
  The Mandalorian and Grogu early Rotten Tomatoes score revealed as first reviews drop for new Star Wars film
  
  The film is coming to cinemas this month.

• 
  
  When is Diane Morgan's Mandy Christmas special due to air after being pulled from 2025 schedule?
  
  The festive episode was removed from schedules last year.

• 
  
  BBC responds to question on Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone after offensive social media posts from presenter resurface
  
  Season 2 has begun filming but has not been scheduled for transmission.

• 
  
  Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day early Rotten Tomatoes score finally revealed following wave of first reviews
  
  The verdict is broadly positive – although perhaps not quite up there with Spielberg's best.

• 
  
  Adolescence director surprised to be handed reins to Netflix's family-friendly franchise
  
  The new film reunites Philip Barantini with Adolescence co-writer Jack Thorne.

• 
  
  Enola Holmes star on James Bond rumours: "The thought did cross my mind"
  
  Could this rising star be our next 007?

• 
  
  Euphoria season 3 gets early Rotten Tomatoes score revealed after flurry of first reviews
  
  The critically acclaimed teen drama isn’t quite so praised for its third season.

• 
  
  GTA 6 developer suffers legal setback in "huge moment" for fired workers
  
  Rockstar sacked 31 employees on the grounds of "gross misconduct" last year.

• 
  
  The Devil Wears Prada 2 early Rotten Tomatoes score revealed following wave of first reviews
  
  It looks like the sequel is a worthy follow-up to the original!

• 
  
  BBC breached editorial guidelines with Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, review finds
  
  "Nothing is more important than trust and transparency in our journalism."

• 
  
  Wildwood review: Enchanting stop-motion adventure is a feast for the eyes, mind and heart ★★★★☆
  
  This intelligent fable from Laika is also a paean to the innate dignity of outsiders everywhere.

• 
  
  Why is Good Omens season 3 so short and why won't there be a season 4?
  
  Everything you need to know.

• 
  
  Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson dies aged 68: 'A true national treasure'
  
  The journalist and broadcaster was best known for his work in the motoring sector.

See more about The Independent

Ad

Ad

Ad