4 Star

One Fyre That Won’t Sputter Out.

Independent writer/director/producer Paul Knight (24 Hours in London, Tomorrow Never Knows) brings us another dark story of what would you do for your family when push comes to shove. A man hits rock bottom, so much so that he changes his philosophy and his outlook on life. Filmed amidst the chaos of Covid and the lockdown, and the constraints of an independent purse, all involved have come up with a slick film with great effects, and that all important story that gives the viewer something to look forward to.

Richard Fyre (Paul Marlon, Renegades, Boudica) was an elite assassin who witnessed something so horrific that it changed his life. Going from a dangerous high paid job working for the ‘Agency’ to begging for scraps now, some fifteen years later. Taking hand outs is hard for a man that used to have so much, but he has Maddie (Charlene Aldridge, Losing Faith, Repentance), his partner, Connor (Stanley Clarke) and Abbey (May Jones) their son and daughter.

These dire circumstances have brought him in debt to demented local crime Lord Priest (Aaron Sidwell, EastEnders (TV Series), Henry V (TV Special)) who has a proposal for Fyre, go to Spain with Ellie (Tia Owomoyela) and eliminate his rival Alejandro (Jake Canuso, The Dark Knight Rises, Flyboys), who is another highly strung crime Lord.

Whilst out there, an old agency buddy Hooper (Dan Richardson, The Lodge (TV Series), The Harsh Light of Day) turns up, and says he wants to help his now rusty pacifistic friend, plus his partner, the very handy Isabella (Mily Cultrera di Montesano, Stolen Days, The Price of Family). Ellie doesn’t want him to be around, as she wants to make sure Fyre does his job and protects his family.

But in these situations, who can you trust? The truth comes out on a stake-out and there is a twist in their fortunes and Fyre gets the Alejandro treatment, that awakens the old warrior in Fyre. Now everybody is in for some payback.

He and his friends on a mission to right the wrongs of the past.

I highly recommend watching this film if you are into crime, drama, action, revenge, and redemption films. As the story is good, and the characters are believable, even the ones that are not fully connected to reality. Also, great to see Independent film fans Eric Roberts (The Poltergeist Diaries, Camp Dread) and Martial Arts expert Cynthia Rothrock (CHINA O’BRIEN I + II, LADY REPORTER) who open the way for more revenge and violence.

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Take a bow, the players and the makers.

Cast:

Paul Marlon – Fyre

Aaron Sidwell – Priest

Jake Canuso – Alejandro

Eric Roberts – Cowley

Cynthia Rothrock – Bodie

Harriet Thorpe – Gloria

Marc Bannerman – Agent Stone

Joseph Millson – Doyle

Rick Grover – Harry

Tina Barnes – Katherine

Dan Richardson – Hooper

Mily Cultrera di Montesano – Isabella

Tia Owomoyela – Ellie

Charlene Aldridge – Maddie

Otto Jäger – Wolf

Alana Wallace – Angel

Jay James – Tank

Sam Anthony – Cog

Crew:

Writer/Director – Paul Knight

DoP – Harvey Glen

Sound – Paul Canton

2nd Unit DP – James Ducker

SFX /Makeup – Kate Griffiths

Wardrobe – Alexandra Ziedina

Costumes/Armourer – Kris Sommerville

Stunts – Mark Johnston (stunt coordinator)

Producer – Damien Morley

Exec Producer – Diane Knight

Editor – Paul Knight

Colourist – Bulent Ozdemir-Larusso

VFX – Brandon Mendis

Audio Mixer/design – Ryan Hatton

Composer – Ian A Hughes

Songs by LJ Howard, Michelle Platinum and REDNEK

Awards:

London Independent Film Festival, 2024

Best Action Feature

Romford Film Festival, 2024

Best local film

Oniros film awards, 2024

Best Feature

National Film Awards, 2024

Nominee for Best action film/series

Social Links:

@fyrerises (all platforms)

@lndnknts (all platforms)

Fyre Rises is available on Digital