Blood Father: Not Just Mel Unleashed

You know that feeling when you walk into a movie expecting just another typical action flick, but end up getting a punch of nostalgia right in the face? That was me, last night. Blood Father with Mel Gibson, directed by Jean-François Richet, hit me like a sweet reminder of those gritty ’90s action films. There’s something homey about Mel’s grizzled presence—it’s like running into an old friend at Konsum.

The film’s got Mel as a washed-out dad, trying to save his daughter, played by Erin Moriarty. It’s raw and honestly, kind of feels like watching a runaway train. It speeds past predictability, with Mel giving it everything, including that wild, untamed beard. A real frilla för ögat.

Now, Richet isn’t anybody’s rookie. He directed Mesrine, and you kind of feel that same gritty, no-holds-barred vibe here, which I liked. The intensity and raw action crafted on screen—a bit like the Swedish winters—unpredictable and wholly immersive.

But let’s be honest, the storyline is straight out of the action hero playbook. The estranged father and the troubled daughter. Yawn. We’ve seen it before, but there’s this chemistry between Gibson and Moriarty that makes it work. I remember when I tried to reconnect with an old friend over street hockey, I felt a bit like Mel—except it wasn’t a shootout, just a heartfelt apology (a bit less dramatisk).

Cinematography-wise, it reminded me of those American Southwest vibes. It’s almost tangible with dust and danger, like Skåne in July, without the dust. The gunfights are loud and get your adrenaline pumping, but it’s the quiet moments, the father-daughter dynamic, that patched it together.

Blood Father isn’t perfect. It’s flawed, real, but somehow that adds to the charm. It’s not the kind of film you’ll chat about over lussekatter for ages, yet it’s satisfying in its own gritty way. So yeah, maybe give it a shot if you’re into a slice of action nostalgia with a hint of heartfelt chaos.

Check the trailer below