Due Justice (2023)

 Overview

Due Justice is a 2023 action-thriller directed by Javier Reyna, starring Kellan Lutz as Max, a former Marine-turned-lawyer whose world shatters when his wife is murdered and his daughter disappears. What follows is a gritty, emotionally charged journey into the heart of criminal corruption — and a descent into vigilante justice.

Characters & Performances

Kellan Lutz gives one of his most serious performances to date, portraying a grieving father determined to take down the criminal empire that destroyed his life. His portrayal is both physically intense and emotionally raw, conveying the deep trauma of a man with nothing left to lose.

Supporting performances include Jeff Fahey as Ellis, a menacing crime boss with political influence, and Efren Ramirez as Santiago, a detective who finds himself caught between his badge and his conscience. Their dynamic with Max adds layers of tension and moral ambiguity.

 Plot & Themes

The film begins with a tragic home invasion that leaves Max’s wife dead and his daughter missing. Refusing to wait for justice from a broken system, Max sets out on a bloody path of retribution. His investigation uncovers a network of corrupt police, traffickers, and powerful criminals — revealing that his tragedy is part of something much bigger.

Due Justice explores familiar revenge-thriller themes:

• The thin line between justice and revenge

• The psychological cost of violence

• Corruption within institutions meant to protect

• The desperation of a parent fighting for answers

Though action-packed, the film also dwells on grief, loss, and the consequences of choosing violence as a solution.

 Direction & Tone

Javier Reyna directs the film with a dark, moody aesthetic. The violence is grounded and gritty rather than stylized, lending realism to Max’s brutal quest. The flashbacks are used to build emotional stakes but sometimes slow the pacing. While the film strives for dramatic weight, certain narrative threads — especially the mystery of Max's daughter — remain unresolved.

 Final Verdict

Due Justice aims to be more than a typical revenge thriller — it seeks emotional resonance through its broken protagonist and moral complexity. While the story doesn't always land and the execution has its flaws, Kellan Lutz’s commitment and the film’s raw energy offer enough for fans of darker action tales.

It’s a film about what happens when systems fail — and one man takes the law into his own hands.