The Wasteland Reviewer

In the Grey (2026) Written Review

What should you expect from the new Guy Ritchie film? Throughout his career, Ritchie has been a fascinating filmmaker. For more than 25 years, his signature style has been the grounded, sharp, and darkly funny British gangster movie. At the same time, he has had clear misfires, such as Swept Away. He has also ventured into big-budget blockbusters with Aladdin and Sherlock Holmes. Since COVID, however, Ritchie has taken a particularly interesting turn. You have more serious films like The Covenant and Wrath of Man which were a welcomed change of pace from Ritchie. Operation Fortune and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare are more than Ritchie’s speed a little too flawed. Streaming has become an interesting space for Ritchie to dive into series. But now Ritchie is leaning back into the action/thriller genre with In the Grey. 

What does Ritchie bring to the table from behind the camera? In the Grey certainly lacks much of Ritchie’s trademark filmmaking pizzaz. From a visual standpoint, In the Grey lacks depth and texture with its uncomfortably overly lit presentation. Where the visuals lack a dynamic touch, the camera work does feature some dynamic camera work. Ed Wild, the cinematographer, and Ritchie leverage long takes, wide shots, and aerial views to bring the big third act action sequence to life. It takes a long time to get there…but the third act is quite engaging and thrilling. The pacing of the film is one of its worst qualities. The film lacks zeal or energy which makes the dialogue-heavy opening two acts horrible to sit through. The film also struggles with its overbearingly serious tone. There are a few fleeting moments of charm and laughter but overall, they attempt to make the film feel weighty and serious (which fails miserably). 

Does Ritchie’s screenplay offer much to elevate the experience? The overall story of the film is filled with geopolitical issues, corporate greed, and espionage. That would make the film sound like it is much more exciting and engaging than it is. The overarching themes are presented with such a lack of depth, making them feel more destructive than the arching framework for the film. The most challenging aspect of the film is the complete lack of character development. There is a whole film full of one-dimensional characters. Sid (Henry Cavill) and Bronco (Jake Gyllenhaal) are experts at their craft, but both lack any personality or depth. Same goes for Eiza Gonzalez’ Rachel (who is basically the protagonist of the film). But there is no real connection to any of the three characters in the film. All the antagonists are flat and cartoonish as well (with one henchman having any personality at all). The actual narrative has backstabbing and twists, but they feel so predictable and uninspired that they lack impact. 

Does the cast salvage any of the experience? Gonzalez is such a charismatic performer, and she cannot help but inject a bit of charisma and attitude into the role of Rachel. But overall, she is forgettable attempting to anchor this bland and generic action/thriller down. Cavill says all his obscene amount of expositional dialogue with his British accent which is a plus. Gyllenhaal is also saddled with endless explaining beats which is quite annoying after a while. But both give flat performances that make the overall boring tone of the film. Rosamund Pike is a cartoonish corporate villain, and she is completely forgettable in the role. Fisher Stevens and Carlos Bardem attempt to inject a bit of personality into their villainous roles, but the material just isn’t there. Game of Thrones alumnus Kristofer Hivju delivers the only memorable performance with his campy twist on the henchman character (but he is barely in the film).

Is In the Grey a welcomed entry in Ritchie’s extension filmography? This film commits the ultimate movie sin…it is mostly boring. The first two-thirds of the film at least. The final act is at least well-made, thrilling, and executed well. But you just don’t care enough to make this an overall worthwhile experience. Flat dialogue submerges the first two acts of the film to horrible detriment. This talented cast couldn’t even muster enough personality to elevate it. In the Grey just lacks the exciting energy that Ritchie is so well known for.