Swelter: A Desert Dust-Up

Ah, “Swelter.” That’s the sort of word that makes you wish for a cold drink or, maybe, a long swim in the Vänern on a hot summer day. The movie, directed by Keith Parmer, offers its own kind of heat—kind of like one of those dusty spaghetti westerns but with the grit turned up to eleven and a plot somewhere between a heist film and a psycho drama.

You’ll catch some familiar faces. Jean-Claude Van Damme—yes, he’s still kicking, literally—and Alfred Molina take the spotlight. There’s something oddly comforting about seeing these actors roll around in the grit of a dusty town. It’s a sort of reunion of legends I didn’t know I needed ’til I was in the thick of it.

Story-wise, we’re following a group of bank robbers who are trying to reclaim their loot hidden in a sleepy desert town. There’s enough testosterone flying around to power a Volvo through a midnight rally in the woods. Bodies pile up and secrets unravel, but the film hobbles a bit on its own clichés. One can’t help but chuckle—those moments where everyone seems to be trying a bit too hard to look rough and rugged.

And you know, I think it struck a chord with me. Reminded me of that trip to Mariestad… met a guy at the bar claiming to be a former actor—looked the part too. He’d talk your ear off with stories that sound eerily similar to “Swelter,” but set in the Swedish highlands. Made me appreciate homegrown stories even more.

I suppose if you’re in the mood for a rollicking ride through the desert with some familiar faces, this might just tickle your fancy. Just remember to bring sunblock for all that plot exposure.

Check the trailer below