Actors Billy Zane (“Titanic”), Cara Jade Myers (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), and Zach Roerig (“The Vampire Diaries”) star in the new western film “Day of Reckoning,” which was directed by Shaun Silva.
On the verge of losing his wife and his job as sheriff, put-upon lawman John Dorsey (Zach Roerig) reluctantly teams up with bullish U.S. Marshall Butch Hayden (Billy Zane) to hold outlaw Emily Rusk (Cara Jade Myers) hostage.
A battle of wills ensues as Emily turns the posse on themselves, but as her marauding husband and his gang approach, Emily and John realize they will need each other to survive.
Butch is determined to go after Kyle Rusk (Scott Adkins) and Emily, especially since their gang was responsible for killing five of Hayden’s marshals.
Country artist Trace Adkins also makes a cameo as Big Buck. Rappers Yelawolf and Struggle Jennings also make an appearance in this movie.
Billy Zane is commanding as Butch, and he controls the character well, while Zach Roerig delivers a dynamic performance as the struggling sheriff, where viewers can slightly recall Bailey Chase in “Far Haven.”
Scott Adkins is high-octane as Kyle, while Cara Jade Myers pulls off a bold, brave, and badass performance as his wife, Emily, who is a total spitfire. It is unlike anything she has previously done before, thus showcasing her wide range as an actor and storyteller, and she reigns supreme.
While the unexpected ending is a bit of a letdown and the fight scenes could have been better choreographed, everything else leading up to the finale is noteworthy.
To its credit, it does have some twists and turns, and suspenseful moments that will keep the audience at the edge of their seats.
The Verdict
Overall, “Day of Reckoning” is a high-adrenaline western thriller coupled with some memorable emotional moments. The pacing is solid and the same holds true with the direction from Shaun Silva. It is recommended for fans that enjoy westerns and action movies. “Day of Reckoning” garners four out of five stars.
