If you haven’t watched the new indie film ‘Exes’, starring Matt Cohen and Briana Buckmaster, what are you waiting for? ‘Exes’ is a rollercoaster of nonstop excitement, A+ acting and unexpectedly hilarious as a bonus. And if you’re a Supernatural fan, you’ll be treated to some great performances by some of your favorites.
The story follows two agents who are also exes who despise each other, on the run together after being framed and accused as terrorists. From the opening scene of a terrifying drone chase, the film grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. (I don’t know about you, but I find the idea of being pursued by a drone uniquely horrifying, and the fact that it’s a real life possibility just makes it more so). It’s a nonstop adrenaline-jolting wild ride that had me biting my nails with the tension – but just when you need a break, there’s the comic relief of Jake Reid and Megan Kimber sniping at each other with the worst (and most hilarious) insults you can imagine. The jabs are quite creative, and Cohen and Buckmaster deliver them flawlessly, all while showing the tiniest of glimpses of the mutual love and attraction still there underneath all the downright filthy insults.
The story is told in flashbacks of a mission in which everything went wrong, so you know there will be twists and turns and a lot of oh shit exclamations. Cohen makes a believable action hero – for you Supernatural fans out there, he’s even got his own version of Baby in ‘Maeve’, which amusingly is a stretch limo complete with neon lighting. Unsurprisingly, Buckmaster makes a believable action hero too, and the two together create sparks with the unique version of derision that only happens between exes. It crackles!
The exes constant sniping at each other provides comic relief from the tension of their desperate attempts to evade the people trying to kill them – much needed because the action scenes are remarkably well done, complete with some impressive special effects. Joining Cohen and Buckmaster are a few other familiar faces for the SPN Family – Mark Sheppard is brilliant (when is he not?) as the sadistic interrogator who takes a little too much glee in shocking Jake and Megan when they’re not answering his questions fast enough. Felicia Day is a tech wiz because of course she is, but she’s no Charlie – and no fan of Jake partnering up with his ex either. Ricky Whittle plays a mysterious guy complete with some gratuitous bare chestedness that I’m not complaining about and carries off the role with all the charisma you’d expect.
In addition to the roller coaster tension of the duo being on the run, the comedic breaks of vicious sniping and the hints of underlying mutual attraction, there’s also a slowly unraveling mystery and conspiracy going on, making this a smart movie that makes you think and not just an action film.
Congrats to Matt Cohen, Briana Buckmaster and company on a great film. It’s a testament to how enjoyable ‘Exes’ is that I wasn’t ready for it to end – maybe it needs a sequel?
Stream ‘Exes’ on Amazon or Tubi! (And if you like it, let them know)
-Lynn
You can read the chapters that Matt Cohen
and Briana Buckmaster wrote in ‘Family Don’t
End With Blood’ all about their experience
in acting and on ‘Supernatural’ – links at:
