Oksana Orlan, a statuesque fashion model turned actress, writer, and producer, will kick your ass and break a foot doing it in Dominique, an absolutely ferocious action movie with stunning plot twists. The film initially seems like another mindless and forgettable VOD entry we’ve seen countless times. That expectation changes dramatically when a razor-sharp first act goes in a truly shocking direction. Every character is fair game once ruthless and sadistic baddies are unleashed. Steel yourself for shock, awe, and heartbreak. There are no sacred cows or boundaries here.
In Colombia’s La Guajira desert, cackling goons from the vicious De La Cruz cartel race towards their latest conquest in a red Jeep. They’ve shot down a plane presumed to belong to a rival drug gang. Hector (David M Sandoval Jr.) cautiously approaches the wreckage. The front of the plane is still intact. He opens the door and motions his men to take out a large wooden crate sealed with chains. It’s heavy. Hector curses them for attempting to shoot it open. They don’t know what’s inside. He then finds a fetching surprise in the cockpit. The pilot, a beautiful blonde woman (Orlan), is unconscious. The lecherous Hector senses a vile opportunity. He doesn’t get the chance.
Dominique Wastes No Time
Trained assassin Dominique escapes troubled past, moves to South American town rife with violence/corruption. Sheltered by innocent family, she faces attacks from police/mafia, must choose between self-protection or defending her hosts.
Release Date October 11, 2024
Director Michael S. Ojeda
Cast Oksana Orlan , Maurice Compte , Jose Conejo Martin , Juan Camilo Castillo
Runtime 1h 40m
Writers Michael S. Ojeda , Oksana Orlan
Distributor(s) Grindstone Entertainment Group , Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Pros
- A surprisingly good action movie that comes out of nowhere.
- Director Michael Ojeda and his co-writer and star Oksana Orlan create an unpredictable and unique script.
- The action is visceral and well-done, and Orlan gives a killer performance.
Cons
- The film looks fairly low-budget, which affects the ending in a very disappointing way.
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After driving into San Lucas, Dominique drinks alone at a bar until Julio (Sebastián Carvajal) sits at her table. He warns her to be careful. San Lucas is a dangerous place run by evil people. The woman chugs a shot and hungrily assesses the handsome Julio before taking him in a one-night stand. He wakes up the next morning to see her looking out of his window at the pregnant Paulina (Maria del Rosario) and several children nearby. Julio explains that they’re his sister and family. Her husband has recently passed away.
Dominique has a straightforward setup. The primary characters are established within minutes. Julio, Paulina, her three children, and their aged father in a wheelchair are good people stuck in a nest of vipers. Everyone is highly intrigued by the fearless woman sitting at the breakfast table. Why does she look so beat up? Where did she come from? Is that a bullet wound on the side of her scalp? Dominique exudes a quiet menace. She’s not remotely intimidated by her situation. This “gringa” can obviously handle herself.
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Related Dominique Clip Teases the Tension in the New Family Revenge Film
Oksana Orlan and Maurice Compte star in this clip from the assassin-based revenge movie out Oct. 11, 2024.
The plot thickens once the cartel finds their men’s bodies. Hector wasn’t a nobody. Whoever punched his clock will suffer a horrific fate. The film pulls no punches showing the cartel’s reach and twisted retribution. Julio’s no fool. He’s seen the cartel’s handiwork. Dominique arrives in bad shape. Hector goes missing. You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out what’s happening. They’ll make gruesome examples of anyone who aids their enemies. Pregnant women and children don’t get a pass. Did helping Dominique put them all in mortal danger?
Unpredictable, Jaw-Dropping, and Action-Packed
Lionsgate
Director/writer Michael S. Ojeda, who previously worked with Orlan in The Russian Bride, stirs up a second act hornet’s nest with a big reveal. Jaws will hit the floor. What transpires is visceral, ugly, and completely reframes the story. Ojeda deserves credit for not being predictable. He baits the audience into a false sense of security, then delivers a narrative wallop that hits like a freight train. Ojeda raises the stakes to the point of no return. Dominique must choose to follow her conscience or allow a bad situation to get worse. That’s not an easy thing for someone who’s always chosen self-preservation.
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Dominique’s action scenes are phenomenal. She’s an unstoppable killing machine, but in a believable way. The baddies underestimate her to their repeated doom. How can one “gringa” be so lethal? Because she tactically outsmarts her attackers at every turn. Dominique uses every advantage at her disposal. She knows how to exploit her attackers’ perceived advantages. What she does is freaking incredible and, gasp, realistic. It’s rare to see an action protagonist behave so meticulously on screen. Dominique executes a well-conceived plan to perfection and fills the morgue in the bloody aftermath.
Oksana Orlan Is Excellent, but Dominique Has One Major Disappointment
Orlan shows acting dexterity in a highly physical performance. Dominique’s character evolves considerably. She’s not just a stone-cold, murderous assassin. Julio, Paulina, and especially the lovable kids stoke her flames of compassion. Dominique learns to be more empathetic, but having feelings and caring is also a weakness that puts chinks in her armor. It all leads to a surprisingly good action movie that’s genuinely hardcore and gripping.
Unfortunately, despite the gut-wrenching climax, the resolution of the film feels like a huge cop out — it’s told through still frames during the credits. It would probably have cost a fortune to film, but it’s still a serious drag. Nonetheless, Dominique is a must-see for action fans.
Dominique is a production of Agora Films, Green Dog Films, and Reigning Entertainment. It is currently available on demand from Lionsgate. You can watch through the link below.
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