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She Rides Shotgun poster

She Rides Shotgun

"All a father needs is a fighting chance."

2025 2h 0m EN
👍
7.0
SOLID
★7.0TMDB · 342
ActionThrillerCrime
Synopsis
Spoiler shield

Newly released from prison and marked for death by unrelenting enemies, Nate must now protect his estranged 11-year-old daughter, Polly, at all costs. With scant resources and no one to trust, Nate and Polly forge a bond under fire as he shows her how to fight and survive—and she teaches him the true meaning of unconditional love.

“All a father needs is a fighting chance.”

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Cast

Credits

Behind the camera

Director
Nick Rowland
Writers
Jordan Harper, Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski
Languages
English
Countries
United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6
ERA

Did you know

Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01
2 / 6
DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Nick Rowland, shot by Wyatt Garfield. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 6
DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Benjamin John Power. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 6
CAST

Did you know

Taron Egerton and Ana Sophia Heger and Rob Yang carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 6
FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "All a father needs is a fighting chance.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 6
WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt27986457 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Nick Rowland directs. Wyatt Garfield behind the camera. Benjamin John Power scores. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

  • 1Released last year.
  • 2Directed by Nick Rowland, shot by Wyatt Garfield. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
  • 3Original score by Benjamin John Power. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
  • 4Taron Egerton and Ana Sophia Heger and Rob Yang carry the top of the cast.
  • 5Marketing tagline: "All a father needs is a fighting chance.".
  • 6IMDB entry: tt27986457 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
  • 7Classified under 16 themes, including "based on novel or book", "sacrifice", "on the run", "protective father".
  • 8Released under 21 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography
Wyatt Garfield
Original score
Benjamin John Power
Stunt coordinator
Robert Alonzo
Runtime
120 min · 2h 0m
Aspect ratio (typical)
1.37:1 (Academy)
Status
Released
Box office
$23,443
Original language
EN
Certification (US)
R

Also by

Nick Rowland

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

  • Manuel São Bento
    ★ 7/10

    FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/she-rides-shotgun-movie-review-ana-sophia-heger-delivers-a-star-making-performance/ "She Rides Shotgun tells a relatively simple, even formulaic story - a man on the run, a redemption arc, a family bond forged in the fire of survival. But it's in the way it tells that story - with emotional honesty, top-tier performances, and intimate, inspired direction - that the movie finds its unique power. It doesn't reinvent the genre, nor does it try to. And while Taron Egerton reaffirms his value as a versatile and committed actor, it's Ana Sophia Heger who truly steals the show - a total revelation, carrying the film's emotional weight and elevating it with rare depth. Her performance isn't just impressive "for her age". It's impressive, full stop. A star is born here - and everyone better take notice." Rating: B

  • Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

    Adapted from Jordan Harper’s award-winning novel, “She Rides Shotgun” is a raw, riveting, and emotionally charged crime thriller that delivers a gritty and brutal, sometimes beautiful, and often deeply unsettling story about violence, survival, and the complicated bonds between a father and daughter. Featuring a tight script that’s effectively written and two shockingly strong lead performances, this is a sleeper that you don’t want to miss. Taron Egerton gives a tough, layered performance as Nate, a recently released ex-con whose past catches up with him the moment he’s free. With an extensive skinhead gang gunning for his blood, Nate is forced to take his estranged 11-year-old daughter Polly (in an absolutely incredible star-making performance from Ana Sophia Heger) on the run. Their flight from danger becomes a twisted road trip of survival that forces both of them to learn from each other in ways neither is fully prepared for. The script is tight and incredibly effective, absent of wasted moments and forced sentimentality. It’s dark and unrelenting, packed with gritty, emotional storytelling that refuses to play it safe. There’s very little hope in this world, but just enough humanity to keep you rooting for these two damaged souls. The dynamic between Nate and Polly is the heart of the film, and their evolving relationship is as heartbreaking as it is compelling. Polly’s slow transformation from scared little girl to someone almost comfortable in (and sometimes excited by) the world of crime is disturbing, but it’s handled with care, never glamorized, and is always tragic. Heger gives one of the strongest child performances in years. She’s magnetic, complex, and completely believable. It’s a breakout role that could (and should) launch a massive career for the young actor. Egerton matches her, showing both grit and emotional vulnerability as a man trying to outrun his sins while teaching his daughter how to survive in a world he helped corrupt. The casting is absolutely perfect, and it elevates the movie tenfold. The film builds toward a chaotic finale which doesn’t quite land as solidly as the rest of the movie, especially because parts of it are very unbelievable. But even that can’t overshadow how well-constructed the journey is. This is a story that’s less about plot twists and more about psychological impact. It’s the kind of film that keeps viewers emotionally involved. With its powerful and emotionally bruising tale of loyalty, vengeance, and the terrible cost of love in a broken world, “She Rides Shotgun” is not an easy watch, but it’s a damn good one. By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS

  • Horseface
    ★ 9/10

    Jesus Christ, Ana Sophia Heger is INSANE! Where did this girl come from? I don't remember ever seeing a performance this strong from a child actress. I'm blown away, and praying she won't self-destruct, so we can enjoy her talent for decades to come. Pair that with Taron Egerton's performance, and the crazy chemistry between these two actors, and you just get jaw-dropping moment after gasp-inducing moment. There are times when you can't help but think they must've been editing out gasps and sobs from the crew. And times when you just know there was a quiet "Okay, cut," and then silence for a long while. I'm still wiping tears from my eyes. If there's any justice or sense to the Oscars (there isn't), this girl will take Best Actress. The story has issues, especially towards the end, but WATCH IT for the acting and father-daughter chemistry. I will watch this many times more.

Production companies

Who made it

  • Fifth Season

    Fifth Season

    US

  • Makeready

    Makeready

    US

  • Super Frog

    Super Frog

    US

  • Waypoint Entertainment

    Waypoint Entertainment

    US

  • Black Bear Pictures

    Black Bear Pictures

    US

Key crew

  • Executive ProducerKen Kao
  • Executive ProducerJosh Rosenbaum
  • Stunt DriverJoey Box
  • Second Unit DirectorRobert Alonzo
  • ProducerNate Matteson
  • Stunt CoordinatorRobert Alonzo
  • ProducerHiro Murai
  • ProducerCollin Creighton
  • ProducerBrad Weston
  • BookJordan Harper
  • Executive ProducerTeddy Schwarzman
  • Executive ProducerJohn Friedberg
  • Executive ProducerWalter F. Parkes
  • Executive ProducerLaurie MacDonald
  • Executive ProducerAlexis Garcia
  • Executive ProducerChris Rice
  • Executive ProducerChristopher Slager
  • Executive ProducerGraham Taylor
  • StuntsLexi Dali
  • Executive ProducerTaron Egerton
  • StuntsConrad R. Padilla
  • ColoristNat Jencks
  • Location ManagerChristian Diaz de Bedoya
  • Still PhotographerKaren Kuehn

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

  • based on novel or book
  • sacrifice
  • on the run
  • protective father
  • broken family
  • estranged daughter
  • father daughter relationship
  • prison gang
  • traumatized child
  • father and daughter
  • young girl
  • crime
  • loss of a parent
  • fugitive life
  • escape journey
  • revenge threat

Release history · US

When it landed

  • Theatrical (limited)2025-08-01R
  • Digital2025-08-26R
  • Physical2026-08-25

Also known as

International titles

  • הנוסעת שליד הנהגIL
  • La place du mortFR
  • Fuga FatalBR
  • She Rides ShotgunCA
  • La place du mortCA
  • She Rides ShotgunEG
  • Die Rache der Polly McCluskyDE
  • Ο τιμωρόςGR
  • She Rides ShotgunHK
  • She Rides ShotgunIN
  • She Rides ShotgunIL
  • She Rides ShotgunMX
  • Детка на драйвеRU
  • She Rides ShotgunZA
  • She Rides ShotgunES

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