Gunpowder Milkshake is Netflix’s latest action movie offering featuring a lot of neon-colored violence and lush production design to underscore the story. Sam (played by Karen Gillan, doing her best deadpan action star) was basically born into a life of violence when her mother abandoned her — thinking she was doing right by Sam — leaving her in the custody of The Firm, a group of men who make a living by nefarious means (spearheaded by Paul Giamatti). The Firm trains Sam to be an assassin, and instead of breaking the cycle of violence her mother lived, Sam repeats it. While the story may sound familiar, it does have some of its own decidedly feminine twists and turns that make for a fun ride.
1. The innocent. Gunpowder Milkshake has repeatedly been compared to John Wick and it’s hard not to see the similarities. Even in Gillan’s portrayal of what first appears to be a cold, and often deadpan assassin, except in her case the tipping point where innocence is taken isn't a dog, it’s a little girl. Gillan’s Sam is tasked to kill a man but little does she know he’s a father to a precious 8 ¾-year-old, Emily (Chloe Coleman). Coleman is a standout in the film, as an 8 ¾-year-old can be nothing but vulnerable. She is a warm light in an ocean of violence. She forgives easily, yet is not too young to understand the concept of revenge. There’s a standout scene where Coleman gets to literally take the driver’s wheel, and the audience may wish there was more of Coleman in charge as her playful joy in experiencing an underground world is a constant delight. The assassin archetype lead is often accompanied by the need for a Save the Cat character. For John Wick, it was literally a Save the Dog. For Sam, it is a Save Herself, and stop the cycle of trauma, and Emily is a lovely embodiment of that.2. Feminism in action. There is definitely a current trend of action films with a feminist spin. Black Widow is chock full of women dominating the screen and kicking ass. The same holds true for Gunpowder Milkshake, but one can’t help but wish the film dug a little deeper into ideas it introduces: Women must bring triple the force of men when doing their dirty work just to get by, women, when abandoned by each other, must work hard to forgive, women are often responsible for breaking cycles of trauma caused by the men in their lives. It is all heavy, interesting, compelling stuff that sometimes feels tough to service while also catering to huge, big-budget action scenes — but it would be amazing to have more filmmakers trust their audiences to truly dig deep and go there.
3. Gun-Toting librarians. Action movies need a hook and unique angle, and Gunpowder Milkshake finds that in Sam’s aunties: a group of librarians who disguise their weapons-trading in famous works of literature (by some of our greatest female authors). This group of well-read and well-armed fairy godmothers is so rich with acting talent: Carla Gugino, Angela Bassett, and Michelle Yeoh, that it's easy to see there could be a spin-off just telling the full backstory of these compelling women. Ultimately, Gunpowder Milkshake reminds us that when women call upon each other to have their back (no matter how much time has passed) they usually show up in full force.
4. The power of production design. It's clear co-writer and director Navot Papushado thought carefully about the look of every scene in this film. He transports us to a realm of otherworldliness that feels familiar yet different. He also bathes Sam in bisexual lighting more than once, making us long for a bigger backstory for her character — how have men, and/or women, hurt her romantically in the past? Does that also drive her to violence? Either way, the film is a feast for the eyes, sometimes reminiscent of Drive, leaving audiences to read between the lines of a world that only offers safe space in a diner that confiscates guns before serving milkshakes.
5. Original fights. An action movie has to undeniably offer a new take on fight sequences and there are some thrills to be had here. There is an excellent fight sequence in a terrifying dentist’s office (who is out to get Sam on behalf of The Firm) with a gun and a scalpel taped to Sam’s hands — who doesn’t want to see a takedown of an evil dentist? Additionally, the fight sequences with Emily driving in Sam’s lap are so well-paced (and says a lot emotionally about their evolving bond) that it’s worth a rewatch.
Final Takeaway: While Gunpowder Milkshake does re-tread a lot of action territory, it is still thrilling to see a feminist fight film with women in the driver’s seat. As audiences get more of (and likely remain thirsty for badass female leads) hopefully filmmakers and studios dig deeper into the feminist themes they are presenting, as the surface of a well of emotions for women is just beginning to be scratched.