21 Bridges (2020) is a crime thriller directed by Brian Kirk, starring Chadwick Boseman in one of his final roles before his passing. The film is a tense, action-packed police procedural with a strong emphasis on character, set in the gritty streets of New York City.
The plot centers around Andre Davis (Boseman), a tough and principled NYPD detective who is called in to investigate a brazen robbery that goes horribly wrong. Two thieves, Michael (Stephan James) and Ray (Taylor Kitsch), rob a nightclub and kill eight police officers in the process. When the situation escalates, Davis is tasked with leading the manhunt to find the killers. The authorities quickly discover that the criminals are well-prepared, and the stakes grow higher with each passing moment.
In a desperate move to catch the perpetrators before they escape the city, the NYPD shuts down all 21 bridges leading in and out of Manhattan. This isolation creates a tense, ticking-clock atmosphere as the police try to corner the criminals before they can flee. Davis must navigate his way through corrupt cops, hidden agendas, and the blurry lines between right and wrong as the investigation unfolds.
21 Bridges is a tightly focused thriller with a layered protagonist in Davis. Chadwick Boseman brings a commanding presence to the role, portraying Davis as a character who is not only driven by a desire for justice but also struggling with the ghosts of his past. He is a man haunted by the death of his father, a fellow police officer who was killed in the line of duty, and he is determined to prove his worth in a system that often feels flawed.
The film touches on themes of corruption, loyalty, and personal redemption, exploring the moral gray areas of law enforcement. As the night progresses and Davis gets deeper into the case, he begins to question the motives of those around him, realizing that things are not always as they seem. The plot moves briskly, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience engaged.
Supporting performances are solid as well, especially from Sienna Miller, who plays Frankie, a tough detective who assists Davis during the investigation. J.K. Simmons also makes an appearance as a politician with a vested interest in the outcome of the case. The chemistry between Boseman and the rest of the cast adds depth to the characters and their relationships, which helps ground the film in an otherwise action-heavy narrative.
While the premise of 21 Bridges isn’t groundbreaking and follows familiar action-thriller tropes, its execution is solid, and the film delivers a satisfying mix of suspense, action, and moral questioning. The visual style and direction create a moody atmosphere, particularly with the use of the night-time setting and the claustrophobia created by the city being locked down.
21 Bridges may not break new ground in the crime thriller genre, but it is an effective and entertaining film with a powerful lead performance from Boseman. It’s a gripping ride that explores the challenges faced by those who work within a broken system, as well as the personal cost of trying to make things right. If you’re a fan of taut, action-packed thrillers with a bit of emotional depth, this one is definitely worth checking out.
