Beyond the Reach (2014)

Beyond the Reach (2014), Vietnamese title is Beyond the Reach, is a psychological thriller film directed by Jean-Baptiste Léonetti, based on the novel Deathwatch by Robb White. Starring Michael Douglas and Jeremy Irvine, the film brings a tense life-and-death confrontation between man and nature, between the coldness of power and the instinct for survival.

The story begins when Madec (Michael Douglas), a wealthy businessman, goes hunting in the Mojave Desert. He hires Ben (Jeremy Irvine), a young man who knows the desert terrain, as a guide. However, the hunting trip quickly turns into a tragedy when Madec accidentally kills a person and wants to hide his crime. To cover up the clues, he forces Ben to take off his clothes and leaves him in the middle of the scorching desert, without food or water.

The film then becomes a cat-and-mouse game, where Ben must use all his survival skills to avoid Madec's ruthless pursuit and escape the harshness of nature. Beyond the Reach is not only a physical battle, but also a spiritual battle between an innocent but resilient man and a rich, cold and inhumane man.

The highlight of the film is the vast, empty and deadly Mojave desert setting. Nature in the film is like a third character - cruel but fair - contributing to heightening tension and testing human mettle. Michael Douglas has successfully portrayed the image of a powerful but unethical man, willing to do anything to protect his personal interests. Meanwhile, Jeremy Irvine brings a youthful but steadfast image, representing justice and hope.

Beyond the Reach is not only an entertaining film but also has a profound meaning about morality, human corruption when having too much power, and the ability to persevere in the face of adversity. Although not a blockbuster, the film is still haunting enough with its tense pace, realistic acting, and strong message about justice. This is a work worth watching for those who love the survival genre - the psychological tension between humans and nature and the ego.