Riddick: Vin Diesel’s Gritty Return

So, you know when the third movie in a series could either be brilliant or just, well, a bit off? That’s where Riddick lands for me. I sat there thinking, “Is Vin Diesel ever gonna age?” This film, directed by David Twohy who’s like practically married to these films, tries to go back to basics. There’s a lot of Diesel brooding in shadows, which isn’t entirely a bad thing, but maybe not everything we hoped for.

Let’s chat about the plot. We’re back with Riddick, our favorite space outlaw, stuck on a hostile planet. Visually, the film is gritty. Imagine a Blekinge winter, bleak and roaring in your face. The landscape felt intense, even through my TV screen, but honestly, some parts felt more “earthy” than otherworldly. You can almost smell the dirt and sweat through the screen.

Actors? Karl Urban pops back in like a familiar Swedish fika break—short and sweet. And gotta hand it to Diesel; he really carries the thing. It’s his playground and you can see he’s having a good time with his gruff, no-nonsense style. Makes me chuckle how he delivers those one-liners with such serious face. He’s got that deep voice which is kinda like a cozy blanket on a snowy Stockholm evening.

Now, side note, this didn’t set the box office ablaze, but it was backed by Universal. They took a bit of a gamble, and well, it’s evident in the sometimes quirky CGI and plot choices. Felt like Twohy was having an existential crisis with the storyline sometimes? Or maybe that’s just me over-thinking it.

True story: when I watched this the first time, I could swear I saw a glimpse of my old Dalsland hiking trail nightmares—those creatures in Riddick aren’t far off from the ones I dreamt of after a boggy trek back in 2002. It’s that same mix of curiosity and terror.

Listen, if you’re in it for Vin and some no-frills sci-fi, keep those expectations in check and munch on some kanelbullar while you watch. Trust me, it’s quite the combo. Peace out, movie lovers!

Check the trailer below