REVIEW: “Relentless” (2026)

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Tom Botchii’s new film, “Relentless,” is a thrilling mix of genres. It’s entertaining just to think about all the different types of thrillers it embodies – action, revenge, psychological, and even home invasion. The film flirts with the style of exploitation cinema, and at times feels like a gritty character study. It also evokes the atmosphere of grindhouse theaters from the late 1970s.

Look, “Relentless” isn’t perfect, and honestly, it doesn’t quite live up to its title. I noticed a few issues pretty early on – I’ll get into those later – but I have to say, Botchii really knows how to keep you hooked. The director has a clear vision, and it’s brilliantly supported by two lead actors who fully commit to their roles. Even though the story feels a little stretched over its 93 minutes, I was consistently entertained. Ultimately, that’s what matters most.

“Relentless” introduces us to two very different men. Teddy, played by Jeffrey Decker, is living in his car, listening to old messages from his ex-wife as he tries to sleep. Meanwhile, Jun (Shuhei Kinoshita) lives in a stylish, modern house and enjoys a comfortable evening with sushi and his laptop before going to bed.

The next night, Teddy unexpectedly shows up at Jun’s house pretending to be a salesman. When Jun refuses to talk to him, Teddy breaks in with a shotgun and aggressively pursues him. A short fight breaks out, and Jun manages to escape into the night, but Teddy chases after him. Jun gets away, but loses his laptop. He’s determined to retrieve it, so he follows Teddy to a gas station, where he’s attacked and kidnapped.

Jun finds himself tied to a chair in a dilapidated house, facing a man named Teddy. They immediately begin a tense conversation, with Jun claiming he doesn’t recognize Teddy, while Teddy insists he does. The artist, Botchii, deliberately keeps their relationship and motivations unclear, raising key questions: Who are these men, what connects them, and what important information is on the laptop they’re both focused on? This creates a captivating mystery, as Botchii skillfully controls the narrative, keeping the audience guessing until he’s ready to reveal more.

The story eventually builds to a brutally violent, one-on-one confrontation. However, the characters feel underdeveloped; their backstories are simply explained, preventing the story’s deeper ideas from truly connecting with the audience. The attempt to include social commentary is also weak, and some characters’ actions feel forced and illogical rather than thoughtfully motivated.

While “Relentless” tries to tell its story in a concise 93 minutes, it feels a bit stretched. The director, Botchii, uses visually appealing techniques, but they become repetitive and don’t add much to the plot. Overall, it’s a strong second film from a promising director with a unique style. Botchii makes the most of a small budget and gets good performances from his leads, and he’s willing to experiment, even if not everything works perfectly.

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2026-01-13 19:57