Brad Jayne’s directorial debut WARRIOR ROAD has taken seven years to come to fruition, from the start of the project through to its theatrical release this winter.The film follows Joseph (Lorenzo James Henrie, Star Trek, Fear the Walking Dead) as he travels across the United States having been coerced into taking part in a criminal act by his companions Alan (Kristopher Higgins, IN TIME, DEVIL’S KNOT) and Howard (Eddie Hassell, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, JOBS).

Using the vast open landscapes of South Carolina, Jayne’s wide-angle static camera work allows the viewer’s eye to track our protagonist’s vehicle as it steadily drifts in and out of shot along the desert highway, reminiscent of classic road movies THELMA & LOUISE and O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? We join initimate conversations through over the shoulder perspectives, allowing us to edge closer to this group of criminals but never quite joining in – much like our main protagonist, whose early reluctance prevents him from truly becoming one of the gang until nearer the finale.

The film has the orangey red glow of a hot, humid South Carolina evening. Perpetual sunset does nothing to harm Jayne’s visuals but does limit the visual tone until an interesting yet jarring dream sequence which is never fully explained, but can quite easily be deconstructed in order to show the film’s true themes: the balance and fight between good and evil, right and wrong, black and white. The sequence shows Joseph’s father in his job as a vicar: his church is rich mahogany, fire and brimstone, his sermon preaches fear of God and penitence. Meanwhile, the other character in the dream sequence, an un-named pastor/trumpet player, conducts a funeral service in a pristine, white walled and pine pewed church of his own, preaching a message of hope and love. Both men are engaging in similar acts, but their surroundings counteract their outward appearance. An interesting side track but one that struggles to hit the mark, as the events depicted are never returned to, nor mentioned again.

Jayne uses a university creative writing class as his framing device, with the entire plot coming from a visibly older and battle scarred Joseph presenting the events of his summer holidays as a piece of writing, finally declining to answer a classmate as to whether his piece is based in reality at all.

Henrie’s portrayal of Joseph highlights the fragility and changeability of youth. Starting as a quiet and shy ‘follower’, he slowly develops more and more of a personality until, in the final act, he begins to exhibit a stronger sense of self and self belief. The journey Joseph is taken on leaves him with courage and purpose. The viewer is invited on this journey too, witnessing his growth both as a person and a character. WARRIOR ROAD takes us on an exhilarating journey through rural America through the eyes of a young man transformed by the decisions of others.

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