Ride or Die (2021)

Ride or Die: Directed by Aly Hardt. With Vanessa Allen, Chris Dettone, Hannah Brooks, Raavian Rehman. Ashley, a fierce friend to Mandy, takes the phrase “hurt my friend and I’ll kill you” to the extreme. As the bodies stack up, her mistakes haunt her as Mandy tries to dig up old wounds.

“Season 7 of u0026#39;Criminal Mindsu0026#39; is very much a mixed bag, like most of the show from Season 6 onward (Seasons 6 and 9 being the most wildly variable seasons and the most underwhelming being Season 11).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are great Season 7 episodes like u0026quot;True Geniusu0026quot;, u0026quot;The Foundationu0026quot;, u0026quot;Dorado Fallsu0026quot; and u0026quot;The Companyu0026quot;, some good ones, a few in between mediocre and decent and then there are lacking episodes like u0026quot;I Love You Tommy Brownu0026quot; and u0026quot;Thereu0026#39;s No Place Like Homeu0026quot;. u0026quot;Self Fulfilling Prophecyu0026quot; is one of the generally very good episodes, and mostly one of Season 7u0026#39;s better episodes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNot perfect mind. It is a little too busy and rushed in places, which would have been improved with a little less going on and fewer characters. While it was never confusing and held attention throughout, it was not always easy keeping track of every twist and every character. More profiling and team interaction would have been nice too, there is evidence of both and done very well, just that there could have been more.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eVisually, on the other hand, the production values are without complaint. Itu0026#39;s very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe and the script is one of the tightest and focused ones all season.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe script is thought-provoking and nicely balanced, and the story is very attention-grabbing, tense and suspenseful as well as being horrifying and emotional. There are some interesting twists and turns, some a shock, and most of the characters maintain interest. Hats off too for doing very well with a change of pace from the norm.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eReally liked the bond between the team and there are some lovely moments of character and interaction. Examples being the sweet and funny chemistry between Garcia and Reid and the tension between Morgan and Hotch. Really appreciated that u0026quot;Self Fulfilling Prophecyu0026quot; attempted and succeeded in giving Strauss more development and range, the character has nearly always left me stone cold but her subplot is done very well and balances well with the case. It was touching for the team to want to help her rather than leave it, like they could easily have done considering that she has been a less than supportive team member.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll the acting is very good, all the way down from lead to the smallest role. Thanks to having meatier material which gave her an opportunity to show more range, Jayne Atkinson gives one of her better performances on the show, her scene where she loses her temper quite scary in its intensity.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn summary, very busy but very interesting. 8/10 Bethany Cox”