Undercover cop films, where law enforcement officers infiltrate criminal organizations, are a staple of crime cinema. Classics like ‘White Heat’ and modern hits like ‘The Departed’ have effectively explored the tension of a “good guy” pretending to be bad to maintain their cover. In today’s era, films tackling this theme must avoid glorifying either side of the conflict. ‘Destroyer’, with its non-linear narrative, blurs the line between good and bad in a gripping neo-noir thriller.
‘Destroyer’ follows Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman), a former LAPD officer haunted by a botched undercover operation. Assigned to infiltrate a street gang with FBI agent Chris (Sebastian Stan), Erin falls in love with him. Years later, despite her efforts to keep her daughter Shelby (Jade Pettyjohn) away from the violent world she was once a part of, Erin is pulled back when she learns that Silas Howe (Toby Kebbell), the gang leader, is still active. Determined to settle the score and avenge Chris’ death, Erin joins forces with the FBI for one final mission.
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The film’s non-linear structure builds tension, as viewers know from the start that Chris is doomed. However, the relationship between Erin and Chris isn’t sentimental; instead, it reflects the harsh reality that both are trapped in a dangerous world. As Erin becomes consumed by vengeance, she sheds any lingering belief in justice, using her position as a cop purely to seek revenge.
Director Karyn Kusama brings a raw intensity to ‘Destroyer’, with violent scenes that resonate emotionally, especially Chris’ death. Kidman’s unrecognizable and deeply affecting performance anchors the film, while Stan effectively portrays a man caught between duty and survival. ‘Destroyer’ is a brutal yet compelling reinvention of the neo-noir genre, unsettling in its portrayal of broken people and their desperate actions.
–Farheen Ali