Heart of Stone
Directed by Tom Harper
★★
Persons Shown
Jing Lusi, Paul Ready, Jamie Dornan, Gal Gadot
Description
Heart of Stone - (L to R) Jing Lusi as Yang, Paul Ready as Bailey, Jamie Dornan as Parker and Gal Gadot as Rachel Stone in Heart Of Stone. Cr. Robert Viglasky/Netflix © 2023.
Production Still Image
7200 x 4800
Credit
Robert Viglasky/Netflix
Copyright
© 2023 Netflix, Inc.
Heart of Stone, directed by Tom Harper, is an action thriller that seeks to carve out a space for itself in the crowded genre of espionage films, but despite its high-octane stunts and polished visuals, it ultimately falls short of leaving a lasting impression. Starring Gal Gadot as Rachel Stone, an intelligence operative tasked with protecting her organization’s most valuable—and dangerous—asset, the film has all the makings of a blockbuster on paper. Unfortunately, in practice, it’s weighed down by a formulaic script and a surprising lack of emotional depth.
Gal Gadot, already an established action star thanks to her roles in both the Wonder Woman and Fast & Furious franchises, once again proves that she’s more than capable of leading an action-packed film. Her physicality and charisma are undeniable, and she brings a steely resolve to the character of Rachel Stone. Gadot is, without question, the best part of Heart of Stone, delivering a performance that’s both fierce and engaging, even as the material around her falters.
Jamie Dornan, who plays the key role of Parker alongside Gadot, does his best with what he’s given, but once again finds himself in a position where the script doesn’t do him any favors. Dornan is a talented actor, capable of great nuance and depth, but Heart of Stone offers him little more than a stereotypical role that doesn’t fully utilize his range. It’s a recurring issue in his career, and it’s disappointing to see him once again underused in a film that could have offered so much more.
The film’s biggest issue lies in its script, which borrows heavily from better, more memorable action films but fails to inject any new life into the genre. The plot is riddled with clichés and predictable twists, making the story feel like a patchwork of familiar tropes rather than a fresh take on the spy thriller. The stakes never feel particularly high, and the emotional beats, which should have given the film its heart, are either underdeveloped or entirely absent. Given its name, the film ironically lacks heart.
Visually, the film is polished to a fault. The stunts are impressive and well-executed, showcasing the kind of big-budget action that audiences have come to expect from the genre. The cinematography is sleek, and the action sequences are choreographed with precision, but there’s a certain glossiness to the whole production that makes it feel more like a product than a story worth investing in. It’s a film that looks good but doesn’t leave much of an impact once the credits roll.
At over two hours long, Heart of Stone feels far longer than it needs to be. The pacing drags in places, and without a compelling narrative to drive it forward, the film can feel like a slog to get through. For all its spectacle, it’s hard to shake the feeling that something is missing—a sense of urgency, a deeper connection to the characters, or simply a story that makes you care about the outcome.
Heart of Stone is a film that delivers on action but falls flat in almost every other aspect. Gal Gadot’s strong performance and the film’s impressive stunts aren’t enough to save it from a script that’s both trite and lacking in heart. If you’re looking for mindless entertainment on a Saturday night, Heart of Stone might fit the bill, but don’t expect it to leave a lasting impression. It’s a film that’s polished on the outside but hollow at its core, a reminder that even the most explosive action sequences can’t make up for a story that’s not worth telling.
