Motor City director Potsy Ponciroli says the revenge thriller finally reached cinemas after nearly two decades in development, following repeated changes of directors, actors and financing. The film stars Alan Ritchson as a former Army Ranger seeking revenge after being framed and imprisoned, and stands out for telling much of its story through silence, physical performance and music rather than dialogue.

Ponciroli secured the job after initially losing out to another director, then used seven months of preparation to deliver a stronger second pitch when that director departed. He worked extensively with Ritchson, Shailene Woodley and Ben Foster to establish character through detailed conversations and playlists, aiming for restrained, believable body language rather than exaggerated mime. Classic-rock tracks including “Nights in White Satin” and “The Chain” were built into key sequences, making the soundtrack central to the film’s storytelling.