*If you like your action-thrillers sun-scorched, emotionally loaded, and allergic to fluff, Hunting Jessica Brok is aiming straight at your nervous system. The South Africa–set film follows a retired, special forces–trained woman who’s tried to disappear into a new life — until the past shows up with bad intentions and even worse timing.
“A retired special forces agent must battle a group of vengeful psychopaths and the African wilderness to get back to her daughter.” But what makes it different is the psychology sitting under the punches. Director Orr says the film started with a question about identity and relapse — “How far can a person go to escape who they used to be… and what happens when they’re forced to become that version of themselves again?”
EUR spoke with stars Danica Jones and Clyde Berning. Jones made it clear she wasn’t interested in placing Jessica neatly into one “version” of herself. “For me, I don’t think it’s about choosing where to place her. It’s about discovering her,” she said, calling the performance a “journey of discovery” that moves through Jessica’s trauma, home life, and the messy collision of who she was versus who she’s trying to be.
That’s key, because Jessica’s attempt at peace isn’t some glossy reset. In the film’s setup, she’s living under an alias and working in conservation — and Danica frames that choice as character truth, not a plot device.
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“Jessica retreats to conservation… she’s still kind of honoring a part of herself, which is to protect,” she explained. “Even in her being a mother, she is honoring that instinct to protect.” In other words, she didn’t stop being who she is — she just tried to redirect it.
And then there’s Daniel, played by Berning, whose connection to Jessica comes with history, tension, and responsibility. Danica hinted that what we’re watching isn’t just two people surviving — it’s two people tied up in obligation.
“They take a lot of responsibility for each other… Daniel feels very responsible for Jessica,” she said, describing how his instinct is to calm her and “take the lead.”
Berning also teased Daniel’s internal tug-of-war without giving away the game.
“There’s this constant struggle between doing what he’s forced to do and doing what he wants to do,” he said — which is exactly the kind of moral friction that makes an action thriller feel like more than stunt work.
Hunting Jessica Brok is built like a chase, but it’s powered by character — a woman trying to outrun herself, and a man trying to live with who he’s been.
“Hunting Jessica Brock” is in theaters now.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Follow her socials @StilettoJill or visitJillMunroe.com. Catch her live M-Thu on KBLA Talk 1580 from 6PM to 7PM.
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