Dirty Angels

Mission in the Crosshairs

In Dirty Angels, veteran director Martin Campbell sends an all-female commando unit into Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to rescue kidnapped schoolgirls. Eva Green leads the team as “Jake,” a battle-hardened soldier dealing with personal trauma while navigating a dangerous mission. Posing as humanitarian workers, the squad infiltrates enemy territory only to face betrayal, devastating losses, and morally complex decisions.

Action and Authenticity

The film delivers gritty, fast-paced action scenes—featuring shootouts, tactical takedowns, and high-stakes suspense. The combat sequences are intense and grounded, offering a throwback to classic military thrillers with a modern twist. Eva Green’s performance is commanding, but the film occasionally struggles with uneven pacing and shallow character development.

Critical Reception

While Dirty Angels attempts to break new ground with its female-led military narrative, critical response has been mixed. Some praised its action choreography and Eva Green’s performance, while others criticized its reliance on genre clichés, cultural stereotypes, and a lack of emotional depth. The storyline, though packed with potential, doesn’t always deliver the tension or complexity it sets out to explore.

Dirty Angels' Review: Women on a Mission - The New York Times

Standout Elements

  • Eva Green shines as the fierce and emotionally scarred leader, bringing intensity and depth to her role.

  • The film’s practical effects and stunt work contribute to its gritty realism.

  • A strong premise that highlights female operatives in combat, though not fully developed.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

  • Engaging action sequences

  • Compelling lead performance

  • Fresh angle with female special forces team

❌ Cons:

  • Underdeveloped characters

  • Predictable plot twists

  • Surface-level political backdrop

Final Verdict

Dirty Angels sets out to deliver a gritty war-zone thriller with a unique angle, and while it succeeds in moments of tension and action, it’s held back by a formulaic script and underused supporting cast. Still, fans of Eva Green and military action films may find enough here to enjoy.

Dirty Angels (2024) - IMDb