If you’ve seen Peacemaker, you’ll know that John Cena can play patriotic. He’s going similarly stars-and-stripes centric in political thriller film The Independent – just, without the toilet-bowl helmet, propensity for extreme violence, or sidekick eagle (as far as we know), playing an independent Presidential candidate whose traction-gaining campaign comes under scrutiny from investigative journalists. From director Amy Rice, the film gathers an impressive ensemble – with Brit star Jodie Turner-Smith playing central journalist Eli, Brian Cox as established reporter Nicholas Booker, and Ann Dowd as a fellow political candidate. Watch the trailer here:
Given the events of the last decade, it’s not difficult to see why a tale of political corruption in the USA feels resonant right now. Here’s the official synopsis: “It’s the final weeks of the most consequential presidential election campaign in US history. America is poised to elect either its first female president (Ann Dowd) or finally break the country’s two-party gridlock with its first viable independent candidate (John Cena). Reporting history as it’s made, an idealistic young journalist (Jodie Turner-Smith) gets an opportunity to work with her idol, veteran Washington political columnist Nick Booker (Brian Cox). Eli is pursuing a story about budget cuts and by following the money she and Booker uncover a financial conspiracy that places the fate of the election, the country, and democracy in their hands.”
You can vote with your eyeballs for The Independent when it comes to Sky Cinemas on 24 February.