Force of Nature (2020 film)

Force of Nature is a 2020 American action thriller film directed by Michael Polish, starring Emile Hirsch, Kate Bosworth, Mel Gibson, and David Zayas. The film is set in Puerto Rico during a Category 5 hurricane and follows a group of police officers and civilians trapped in an apartment building as they are confronted by a gang of thieves attempting to steal millions of dollars hidden within.

The plot centers around Cardillo (Emile Hirsch), a police officer struggling with PTSD, and his new partner, Jess Peña (Stephanie Cayo), who are tasked with evacuating residents during the impending hurricane. They encounter a retired police officer, Ray Barrett (Mel Gibson), who stubbornly refuses to leave his apartment building. As the hurricane intensifies, a gang led by John the Baptist (David Zayas) targets Barrett's building, believing it holds a vast fortune. Cardillo, Peña, and Barrett, along with other residents, are forced to defend themselves against the criminals amidst the chaotic storm.

The film was largely panned by critics, who cited its derivative plot, poor dialogue, and reliance on genre tropes as major weaknesses. Performances, particularly those of Gibson and Hirsch, were also criticized, and the film was often described as a generic action thriller lacking originality or compelling character development. Force of Nature was released in the United States on June 30, 2020, through video on demand.