The Channel (2023)

The Channel (2023)

Overview:
The Channel is a 2023 American heist action-thriller film directed by William Kaufman. It tells the story of two brothers caught in a violent spiral after a bank robbery goes wrong in New Orleans, leading to a deadly clash with the FBI and local gangs.

Cast & Production

• Director & Writer: William Kaufman

• Story By: Paul Reichelt

• Starring:

  • Clayne Crawford as Jamie Sheridan

  • Max Martini as Mic Sheridan

  • Juliene Joyner as Ava Rishoto

  • Nicoye Banks as Special Agent Frank Ross

  • Jaren Mitchell, Paul Rae, and others

• Filming Location: New Orleans, Louisiana (2021)

• Release: Limited theatrical and VOD release on July 14, 2023; DVD/Blu-ray on October 10, 2023

Plot Summary

Jamie Sheridan appears to be an ordinary man with a wife and daughter, but he is secretly planning a heist with his ex-marine brother Mic and a crew. Jamie’s motivation is desperate—he needs money for his daughter’s surgery.

They rob the bank where Jamie’s girlfriend Ava works, but the job spirals out of control. A violent shootout leaves many dead, including police officers. Only Jamie, Mic, and a wounded accomplice survive.

FBI Special Agent Frank Ross leads a relentless manhunt. With help from an informant, Ross identifies the Sheridan brothers and closes in on them. Meanwhile, Mic’s temper and violent nature put both brothers in greater danger, forcing Jamie to choose between family loyalty and survival.

The brothers cross paths with a ruthless crime lord named Nussy, leading to more betrayals and bloodshed. In the end, Mic sacrifices himself, covering for Jamie by claiming to the authorities that his brother is already dead. This lie allows Jamie to escape with Ava and his daughter. The film closes with Jamie starting a new hidden life, waiting for his family to join him.

Themes

• Family vs. Loyalty: The brothers’ bond clashes with Jamie’s responsibility to his wife and child.

• Desperation and Morality: The film questions how far one should go when pushed to extremes.

• Corruption and Violence: Both law enforcement and criminals are depicted as brutal forces of power.

• Escape and Reinvention: Jamie’s final fate highlights the price of survival.

Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Around 67% from critics, 76% from audiences.

• Praise: Strong action sequences, gritty atmosphere, and intense performances, especially by Clayne Crawford and Max Martini.

• Criticism: Some reviewers felt it was predictable, derivative of classics like Heat, and limited by its budget.

Summary Table