User Reviews

Despite the low-budget hustle and a cast of mostly new faces, this drama hits different. Jonathon Smith's gripping tale, paired with a real street vibe, sells this drama big time. Sure, Broken City wears its indie budget on its sleeve, but that's the charm. Having mostly new faces adds to that realness. The lead brings a natural vibe, a real-life weariness that hits deep. Smith, pulling double duty as writer and lead, drops a mix of swagger and moral chaos. This flick dives into the messy world of crime, kicking off with good intentions but spiraling out of control. No winners in this game, and Broken City gets it, keeping it real with gritty empathy.

Broken City delves into a world of economic struggles, crime, and moral ambiguity, crafting a tale of desperation and bold choices. The story is centered around the challenges faced by Maya and her boyfriend, Desmond, as they navigate the precarious path of preserving her families home. It takes a dramatic turn as the characters find themselves resorting to unconventional measures, including robbing affluent homes for financial gain. The addition of Andy, a mysterious character, injects an intriguing element of suspense and complexity into the plot. I totally did not see the twist at the end coming!

A really intriguing, exciting movie. A film dealing with economic injustice, it is definitely in a similar wheelhouse with "Emily the Criminal." But this is a darker, more thrilling take on the sub-genre. It is a suspenseful film that pulls no-punches. The action builds and our feelings and loyalties are conflicted. The indie down-and-dirty quality of the movie is part of its allure. This is not Hollywood. You feel you are watching something real and visceral unfold. It is a very smart and taught movie, with realistic performances that make the story seem all the more real. Well directed and written, this film will pull you in and keep you guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This is how indie films are supposed to be! Original, thought provoking, edgy and out of the box filmmaking. I thoroughly enjoy watching indie films but quite often its a miss. That's not the case with Broken City. This gem of a thriller keeps you dialed in from beginning to end. That's thanks to director Terry Spears and the writing of Jonathan M. Smith. These two gentlemen have woven together a smart, well done movie. The movie has great pacing. I find there's nothing more annoying in a film if it drags. That's a huge turnoff for me and I most likely will bounce. Not so here! Kudos to director Spears. Also, wonderful casting! I found the actors to be believable and right for their roles. I very much enjoyed the actor who played Andy, Ronnie Angel. A thumbs up from me on this one!!

When I first started watching this film, I did not expect the suspenseful, twisty-turny direction it was going to take! I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath with shockers taking my breath away. Now I can breathe and say wow, that was intense and cool! Even though there were moments where I could tell things weren't perfect, they were few and far between and didn't take away from the story and intrigue. The casting and acting performances were good overall and the characters and their dialogue were pretty believable. I ended up feeling for a lot of the characters. If you like suspense, the crime/heist genre, and you're okay with some violence then I recommend watching this film.

Broken City is an intense and effective crime drama. A young woman and her boyfriend rob wealthy homeowners in an effort to save her own mother's home. But when they recruit a third person to go along with them, things take a significant turn. This movie had some interesting moral dilemmas also that some of the characters face. The acting was very effective from the entire cast. Also, this movie has a gritty and intense feel from the way it was filmed and directed. The music was very effective as well. If you're looking for a powerful crime drama, stop searching and go ahead and give this movie a look!

Broken City ain't your typical movie. It's all about the struggle - economic grind, moral gray zones, and bold moves. This ain't your Hollywood glitz flick. Broken City is that raw, dark take on economic injustice but on a whole 'nother level. No punches pulled, it's a wild ride messin' with your feels and loyalties. The indie vibe, down and dirty, making it feel real - ain't no glossy Tinseltown here. It's smart, it's tight, with performances so real you swear you're in the streets watchin' it unfold. Broken City ain't frontin' with its indie charm; it wears it proud. Mad respect for this flick, it's the realest in the game.

"Broken City" immerses viewers in a gritty world of economic struggles, crime, and moral ambiguity, weaving a tale of desperation and bold choices. What starts as a struggle takes a dramatic turn as the characters resort to unconventional measures, including robbing affluent homes for financial gain. This film tackles economic injustice with a darker, more thrilling perspective. The indie, down-and-dirty quality enhances its allure. This is not a Hollywood movie; it feels like a raw and authentic portrayal of a harsh reality. The film delves into the messy world of crime, starting with good intentions and spiraling out of control, portraying a reality where there are no winners. "Broken City" keeps it real.

Strong, psychological thriller with totally unexpected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Emotional and scarry. You'll never guess what's coming up next. And the ending gave me chills. I loved the work of Ria Gill, Jonathon M. Smith, Ronnie Angel, and the whole cast were also wonderful. Throughout the movie I caught myself guessing and trying to predict what was going to happen next, and to my surprise I was constantly wrong. I could never anticipate the next twist in the development of the story. The tension and the emotions were building up all away until the last minute and the resolve was absolutely unforeseeable.

Broken City (2023), directed by Terry Spears, is a fairly engaging low budget crime thriller. The plot and its events are pretty unique. The camera work and styling of the film is raw, which I think works in its favor. However, with most low budget films it has its constraints and downfalls. For me, that was the acting, music, set design (or lack thereof), and at times the continuity. Those were the noticeable elements that took me out of the experience.

I really liked how unpredictable the story was though. If you are looking for something different; a unique indie crime thriller with grit, this may just be the one for you.

"Broken City" is a gripping tale that plunges viewers into the heart of America's economic struggle, where desperation meets determination in a thrilling narrative. At its core, the film follows Maya (Ria Gill) and her boyfriend Desmond (Jonathon M. Smith), who embark on a daring journey to save her family home from foreclosure. Their decision to rob affluent houses to secure their future sets the stage for a rollercoaster ride of tension and unexpected twists. What I find particularly satisfying is the element of revenge brought upon corporate Raiders such as hedge funds that come in and buy a company just to sell it for its parts and lay off its employees.

Smith's writing brings a raw authenticity to the story, weaving together themes of love, survival, and betrayal with skillful precision. As Maya and Desmond navigate the dangerous world of crime, their characters are fleshed out with depth and vulnerability, making their plight all the more compelling.

Director Terry Spears masterfully captures the gritty realism of the narrative, immersing audiences in a visually stunning depiction of urban life. From the dimly lit streets to the opulent homes they target, every scene is meticulously crafted to heighten the tension and suspense.

Central to the film's success is the stellar performances of the cast, particularly Gill and Smith, whose chemistry on screen is palpable. Gill shines as the determined Maya, while Smith delivers a nuanced portrayal of Desmond, torn between loyalty and self-preservation.

But it's Andy, portrayed by an enigmatic actor, who truly steals the show. His presence injects an element of danger and unpredictability, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

"Broken City" is more than just a crime drama; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. As Maya and Desmond fight to reclaim their future, they discover strength they never knew they had, inspiring audiences to believe in the power of hope and redemption.

In a cinematic landscape often saturated with formulaic plots, "Broken City" stands out as a refreshing and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. With its compelling story, dynamic performances, and expert direction, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers long after the credits roll.

Terry Spears' Broken City is a topical tale of Maya and Desmond who in need of money, attempt to steal from the wealthy with the help of the more nefarious-minded, Andy. The blend of social justice issues with the more thrilling elements, make it an unique crime drama. Watching the slippery slope as our righteous heroes (both people of color) fall deeper into a tangle of amorality, ill-minded attempts to reset the scales of justice with their mostly white victims.

Ria Gill was a standout performance and the direction and writing by Jonathon M. Smith and Terry Spears keeps things moving. Worth a watch!

A surprisingly well-structured story. It's a criminal heist premise where a gang of 3 thieves (with a 4th 'inside woman' acting as babysitter) rob wealthy households of jewelry and belongings. When they enter the home of a big mark businessman (and his loopy girlfriend who is half his age) , complications make it take longer than expected, tempers flare, and things come to a head. Standout performances from Ria Gill as Maya and Ronnie Angel (former pro wrestler in real life) as Andy. Script by Jonathan Smith shows solid understanding of storytelling for movies. Score by Peter Howard works best during thrilling passages. Def check it out.