Drone

Drone is a gripping 2017 thriller directed by Jason Bourque. The movie stars Sean Bean, Patrick Sabongui, and Mary McCormack. It is a film that succeeds in stitching the mundane realm of suburban life with the grim realities of modern warfare, especially those associated with drone technology, cyber-operations, and the nexus of global terrorism and retribution.

In this electrifying movie, Sean Bean plays the role of Neil Wistin, a reserved suburban family man whose unextraordinary routine battles a dark contrast with his high-stakes profession as a top-secret drone pilot. He is responsible for covert operations in different parts of the globe at the drop of a hat from the comfort of his high-tech haven at home. Thus, this seemingly average, disillusioned man holds within his hands the power of life and death in far-off lands his feet have never touched.

Neil’s character is rapidly thrown into jeopardy when his secrecy is compromised, shaking the foundations of his carefully curated life. His wife Ellen, played convincively by Mary McCormack, begins to notice a sudden change in his behavior, further straining their already pleading marriage. The couple’s teenage son, Travis, adds another layer of complexity to Neil’s already tumultuous life.

However, the story takes an even darker turn when the collateral damage from one of his missions comes knocking at his front door, in the form of a Pakistani businessman, Imir Shaw (played by Patrick Sabongui). Escalating from a simple business transaction, the film plunges into the seething cauldron of bad decisions, guilt, revenge, and confrontation.

Drone underscores the absentee warfare technology that not only pushes boundaries in lethal combat but ends up complicating ethical frontiers, triggering a spiraling trail of unanticipated situations. It kineticizes the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator, in a world where battles aren't fought in open fields but in the vague domain of cyberspace. Engaging the audience in pondering multiple ethical dilemmas on both personal and societal planes, the movie explores the pros and cons of drone warfare, and the impact it has on the people operating them, and those on the receiving end.

The adroit scriptwriting coupled with engaging character development makes Drone a thought-provoking watch. However, it is worth pointing out that the movie has its fair share of suspenseful clandestine elements rooted in the cyber domain, inviting its audience to question the morality and human experience associated with this new form of warfare.

A key strength of the film's in-depth exploration of drone warfare is not just its focus on political aspects, but its dive into the psychological and emotional toll on individuals involved, from the collateral damage victims to the drone pilots themselves. The ethereal presence of these unmanned technologies, coupled with the constant fear of identification, taps into a universal sense of dread and paranoia.

Additionally, the movie deftly illustrates suburban life with its languid pace, picket fences, and an underlying sense of normalcy, providing a striking juxtaposition to the high-tension, fast-paced activities of drone operators, resulting in an ominous lurking tension beneath the veneer of ordinary life.

Sean Bean delivers a stellar performance, with his weary demeanor and nuanced expressions, and Sabongui adds a layer of gravitas to the narrative with his restrained yet intense portrayal. McCormack rounds out a tight principle cast, lending depth and strength to her character of Ellen.

In conclusion, Drone offers a critical, intriguing, and confronting exploration of modern warfare, and the psychological toll it bears on the people involved. It's a tale of a man wrestling with his morality, guilt, and the tragic repercussions of his actions. From seasoned performances to a hauntingly relevant narrative, Drone is indeed a riveting cinematic experience, presenting the audience with a new side of warfare technology through a lens less gazed upon.