'Hazard' Reviews: "a well-intentioned picture, bolstered by two very strong central performances"

     On January 10, 2025, Emphatic Films released 'Hazard', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the film, "Will, a reluctant drug dealer played by Alex Roe, fights to shield his family from the same devastating addiction that has ravaged their community. Despite his efforts, every choice threatens to pull him and his loved ones deeper into chaos. Co-starring Sosie Bacon, HAZARD is a powerful portrayal of resilience and sacrifice, as Will must decide whether to succumb to the addiction he despises or rise above it to save his family." but what did the critics say?

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

   Mike McGranaghan of Aisle Seat says, "The specifics of the plot will be recognizable to any viewer who has ever seen an addiction movie. At times, it’s poignant, as when Will’s father, screaming in agonizing pain, begs his son for drugs. Other times, it’s a bit manufactured, as in the scene showing a doctor who sits in a downtown store front, writing bogus prescriptions for the paying addicts lined up on the street. The best moments are the ones between Will and Sara, as they try to figure out their relationship amid two different states of sobriety. In fact, the performances are the main reason to see Hazard. Alex Roe authentically captures the distracted energy of an opioid addict who can only focus on anything for a certain amount of time before a craving for the drug hits. The actor also makes Will a fully fleshed-out character we care about, as opposed to the one-dimensional scumbag he could have come off as. Sosie Bacon brings a wounded quality to Sara, showing how she’s stared into the abyss and fears her husband will inadvertently drag her right back to it. Together, the stars create a portrait of addiction and codependency that’s heartbreaking. Hazard absolutely gets you thinking about the toll opioids take on a community, especially one that’s already dealing with economic despair. It’s a well-intentioned picture, bolstered by two very strong central performances." 

   Richard Propes of TheIndependentCritic.com notes, "In some ways, you can likely predict the story that's going to unfold, though Mensore does take some unique angles along the way. Truthfully, I doubt I'd be recommending it if not for the strong chemistry and relationship between Will and Sara. It's a relationship brought powerfully to life by Roe, who is absolutely riveting here, and Bacon, one of the younger Bacons who is rapidly proving her acting chops. Individually, they're both fantastic here and the screen really lights up when they're together. I suppose "lights up" isn't the best way to put it. Hazard isn't the easiest film to watch, however, Mensore has captured a vivid and realistic portrayal of addiction and its impact on rural life. Lensing by Matthew Boyd impresses throughout the film's 88-minute running time and original music by Mauricio Yazigi amplifies the film's emotional rhythms without ever feeling manipulative. While Hazard occasionally crosses the line into cliche', Mensore has created characters we care about brought to life by a leading duo that's always worth watching. Yes, you've probably seen this story before but it's a timely and vital one and it's easily worth it to watch Alex Rose and Sosie Bacon bring it all to life so powerfully." 

Movies that Deserved Better: 'Hazard' (2024)

         On May 10, 2024, 'Hazard' was released by Samuel Goldwyn Films, receiving rave reviews from critics as it currently holds at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, "Noah really loves his girlfriend, his daughter, and his car, but he gets involved in a deadly driving job that will result in either losing his life, his family or his beloved car." The ensemble cast includes Frank Lammers, Gene Bervoets, Jennifer Heylen, Jeroen Perceval, and Monic Hendrickx. Read the full review round-up for this little known gem.

Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

       Matt Donato of Slashfilm notes, "H4Z4RD" distances itself from modern action entertainment because there are no boundaries that Govaerts' film is afraid to soar over, like the Duke boys taking flight. A botched suburban robbery leads to gory animal attacks, grenade explosions, hardcore Mechanophilia, and you'll see that "Titane" ain't got nothing on "H4ZARD." As greasy lackeys with Hitler mustaches meet appropriate violence and Noah donut-turns on dimes to avoid pursuers, Haaga's midnighter sensibilities keep audiences entranced by a grab-bag of sequences that challenge what we believe could happen next. Noah's hardly contained to the rules of the road as he chases Gecko drug pushers through crowded parks, up elevators, and down walkway tunnels. There's an overall jaw-slack absurdity to it all, accompanied by excitement that defies speed limits. From psychedelic dope hallucinations that turn basketballs into cartoon creatures to lady assassins blasting pistol rounds through Noah's exterior, "H4Z4RD" loves being an action flick that has to navigate its automotive focus."

        Bobby LePire of Film Threat writes, "H4z4rd is a modern-day Crank: high octane, all style, flashy direction, and editing with plenty of exciting action and humor peppered in along the way. This is a purely cinematic experience as it cannot be replicated in any other medium and still have the same impact. And that’s why the film is so awesome.The plot is nothing that new. A person gets in over their head with the wrong crowd, who demand certain things back. This puts loved ones in danger. But Govaerts’s style is slick and fun, offering a fresh take on old material. Plus, the dialogue is often very witty. A lady confuses Noah for Carlos, as she hasn’t seen them in years. But she vividly recalls the two being hellions as young kids. Apparently, not much has changed. The trip sequence from Carlos’ perspective, in the middle of a car chase, adds the right amount of humor to the extremely impressive stunts and vehicular mayhem on display. It’s fun, funny, exciting, and just plain cool."

      Nathaniel Muir of AIPT says, "H4Z4RD is filled with hilarious moments that run the gamut from Carlos dropping profanity laced bars to a joke about a hook that comes out of nowhere. The comedy fits in perfectly with the rest of the story, as it as wild as the action. Ridiculously fun."