Pressed

Pressed from 2011 is a high intensity crime thriller directed by Justin Donnelly, starring Luke Goss, Tyler Johnston, and Jeffrey Ballard. This heart-pounding feature film is set in the beautiful city of Spokane, Washington, where its urban environment serves as a perfect backdrop to the astounding plot of the movie.

Luke Goss, known for his roles in action-packed movies, wonderfully delivers as Brian, a successful business executive struggling with his financial problems. He is a typical white-collar worker in Seattle until his world is turned upside down when he loses his high-paying job. This sudden career setback along with a sea of massive debt compels Brian to start a money laundering operation as a desperate attempt to maintain his lifestyle.

Tyler Johnston smoothly transitions into the character of Jesse, a streetwise adolescent with a knack for trouble. Jesse and his best friend, Sam, played by Jeffrey Ballard, find themselves knee-deep in the world of crime after making a discovery that sets the movie's thrilling plot into motion. The two unsuspecting boys stumble upon two stacks of illicit cash in their neighborhood, spiraling the movie into an adrenaline-fueled roller coaster ride of events.

The three characters’ worlds converge in a frenzy of chaos, each one caught in their own desperate fights for survival. Brian, finding his illicit money missing, has to find the lost cash before his nefarious accomplices find out. On the other hand, Jesse and Sam, now in possession of the dirty money, unknowingly find themselves the target of ruthless criminals, sparking off a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Throughout the movie, the flawed protagonists will have to dance around the perils of their decisions, test their moral compasses, and come to decisions that will not only affect them but also those around them. Pressed tests the audience's judgments about right and wrong, probing into the lengths ordinary people might go when pushed into a corner.

Returning to his roots of action-thriller movies, director Justin Donnelly brilliantly encapsulates the frantic urgency of the situation in each scene. Every moment is propelled by tight tension, showcasing how high-stakes, life-altering scenarios drill through the thin veneers of civility to unveil the raw survival instincts of individuals. Donnelly uses persistent suspense and multifaceted characters to keep you on the edge of your seat, rooting for the survival of each character, despite the questionable morality of their actions.

The performances by all three actors are commendable. Goss, in particular, captures the desperation and downward spiral of Brian convincingly, with every grimace and furrowed brow landing credibly. Johnston and Ballard, too, are convincing in their portrayal of naïve teenagers forced to grow up too fast, facing a reality far removed from their previous life of small-time mischief and having to pay a far costlier price as a result.

Cinematographically, the film is just as gripping with its visual storytelling as it is with its script. The cinematography savvily uses the urban grittiness of Spokane as its backdrop, complementing the seedy underworld plotline the film tiptoes into.

Despite the dark and precarious situations, Pressed also has an undercurrent of hope and redemption threading beneath its main storyline. It showcases the relentless human spirit to fight for survival, no matter what the scenario, raising profound questions about our innate struggle between morality and survival.

Packed with twists and turns, filled with tension and suspense, and amplifying the struggles of ordinary people in extraordinary situations, Pressed makes for an intriguing viewing experience. This film rewards viewers who appreciate intricate plots, intense performances, and moral conundrums, making it a worthwhile addition to the thriller genre.