High Ground is an action thriller directed by James Bamford, that follows newly appointed Sheriff Jake (Charlie Weber) as he uncovers that a prisoner, Nathaniel (Henry Thomas), is being targeted by a ruthless cartel. With the help of his girlfriend, Cassie (Katherine McNamara), and his father Ezra (Jon Voight), a former sheriff, Jake must take whatever steps necessary to protect Nathaniel.

This film stands out with its unique story and compelling narrative. From the start, it establishes the small town as a tight-knit community where everyone looks out for one another. I liked how the community felt like a family. The tension in the action scenes is great, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and constantly guessing who will survive. From the start, we see the cartel’s villainous nature, which makes the losses of characters they harm feel even more tragic and sad. The cast delivers great performances, and Katherine and Charlie have fantastic together. The romance between Cassie and Jake is a highlight, with Cassie being badass while Jake is strict but kind. High Ground has well-choreographed fight scenes that are fun to watch. 

I was lucky enough to interview the star of the film Katherine McNamara, when asking her what connected her to the characters and drew her to the story, She said “This film has such a beautiful spirit of community to it. In the divisive world that we live in these days, it’s nice to be reminded of the fact that, yes, we can all have our differences. And have a right to our own opinions and perspectives on things. But when things really come to a head, it’s most important that we’re there for each other as a community and that we support each other when we really need help. The fact that that is such a huge element to this film was such a draw for me.”

Unfortunately, the film ended rather abruptly and felt like it could have done with an extra scene to wrap things up. While the movie takes some time to find its rhythm, once it picks up pace, it becomes an engaging thriller. High Ground is a unique and entertaining film that I recommend! 4 🌟

Available to buy on various digital retail platforms March 18th by Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures Label)