Hunting Jessica Brok: A South African action heroine that makes Hollywood blush

Review

04/12/2025

The film’s titular main character, Jessica Brok, was previously part of an elite, secret military unit that carried out high-risk extraction and neutralisation missions across Africa. But after her last mission in Angola a few years ago went badly wrong, and everyone on her team was apparently taken out, she left that life behind. She changed her name and moved to the South African bushveld. According to her, her days as a soldier are completely over — or so she thought. Unfortunately, her past is like a cattle thief in the Karoo — it always comes back to haunt you. Her enemy, the sadistic Lazar Ipacs, brilliantly played by Richard Lukunku, has carried a grudge against her for nearly ten years and now seeks revenge.

This gives Jessica (fantastically portrayed by Danica Jones), reluctantly but desperately, a reason to put her skills as a modern-day GI Jane combined with Rambo on full display. Think Marvel’s Black Widow, Angelina Jolie’s performance as Evelen Salt, as well as Jolie’s character in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Brok can do it all — apparently there is nothing she can’t do. Vehicles are shot apart, heads literally fly, and the viewer is not given a single second to gather their thoughts. It’s “all systems go” — in every shot of the film. And yes, the double meaning is intended.

At the beginning of the film, Danica Jones’ performance wasn’t the strongest for me, but she eventually finds her rhythm and delivers believable acting for the rest of the movie. Richard Lukunku and Hlubi Mboya (who plays Lazar’s girlfriend Sherri) are two actors whose performances truly impressed me. Both were perfect for their roles and definitely carry the film’s storyline.

Hunting Jessica Brok is miles better than many Hollywood productions of the same kind — especially if you’ve seen some of Bruce Willis’ last films, which can truly be considered trash. In contrast, director Alastair Orr’s film features action-packed elements that work from beginning to end — from explosions to “de-capitations”. It’s a 110% “kick, shoot, and thunder” story with more blood and bite than I’ve seen in a long time. The violence may deter some viewers, but it’s no more than what we’re used to in modern Hollywood action films. The cinematography, editing, and mood-setting music were excellent, while the visual effects (VFX), special effects (SFX) artists, fight choreographers, and stunt coordinators deserve special applause. They give their Hollywood counterparts serious competition.

What bothered me a bit while watching the film were the strange accents some characters had. I suspect they were meant to sound Eastern European, but they were not convincing at all. Along with that, the character of Daniel Connor (played by Clyde Berning) had more lives than a cat — this was somewhat far-fetched and made me wonder each time whether I was watching an action film or a horror movie (although fitting for Halloween, when I watched it).

According to Orr, the questions he poses to you as director are: “Can a person run away from who you were?” and “What happens when the world forces you to become a darker version of yourself?” At the end of the day it’s actually a universal question: When it comes to a life-threatening situation, what will you do to protect yourself and your loved ones? Watch Hunting Jessica Brok and you might just find the answer.

Production Information

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Running Time

128 min

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Writer and Director

Garth McCarthy, David. D Jones, Alastair Orr | Alastair Orr

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Website

primevideo.com

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Screens

∞

s

Age Restriction

16

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Cast

Danica Jones, Clyde Berning, Richard Lukunku

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Rating

4/5

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Box Office

See NFVF

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Written by Roelof Bezuidenhout

Roelof Bezuidenhout is currently the Video Production Manager and Story Editor at the EDUNAKHO Group, a global educational media company supporting prospective MBA and master’s students. He previously headed the Higher Certificate course in Film, Television, and Entertainment at AFDA in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where he also earned his MFA, and held academic roles at both AFDA and Boston Media House.