The latest release to hit Netflix is the action thriller Gunpowder Milkshake. So far, most of the praise for the Navot Papushado-directed film has been heaped on the wild action sequences, the stylish look, and some of the fantastic fighting scenes. However, the real high point of the movie comes from the colorful characters.
The female-dominated cast features some of the most talented actors in the world and they deliver with each role they're given. From badass hitwomen to engaging villains to adorable self-appointed apprentices, Gunpowder Milkshake is filled with characters who the audience connects with from start to finish.
Dr. Ricky
Since the film mostly focuses on a core few characters, there aren't ten who get fully fleshed out stories. One of them is Dr. Ricky (Michael Smiley). He treats David (Samuel Anderson) when Sam shoots him and he is the chief at a secret medical clinic.
On paper, he should've been a good ally but Dr. Ricky was quick to give up Sam to a trio of hitmen. As he did so, he hid like a coward under a desk and let the whole thing play out. He doesn't get much screen time and also is unlikable for his actions.
Crow, Shocker & Yankee
The trio of hitmen who Dr. Ricky gives Sam up to are named Crow (Jack Bandeira), Shocker (David Burnell IV), and Yankee (Ivan Kaye). They first showed up at the bowling alley at the request of Nathan and The Firm. While there, they quickly got beaten to a pulp by Sam.
They had another crack at her at the hospital but were all battered. That, combined with Sam's paralyzed arms, made for a creative battle that was a blast to watch. What made these henchmen so enjoyable was how goofy they were, including the hilarious scene where they all got high on laughing gas.
Nathan
It seems like Paul Giamatti has made a career out of playing unlikable characters. For the most part, that was the case with Nathan in this film, as he is kind of the guy who gives out orders while also not being tough enough to carry them out on his own if he ever had to.
As the head of the Human Resources department at The Firm, it's clear that Nathan is just following orders. It makes him less villainous than some of the other characters but he serves his purpose. At the end of the story, Sam and Emily chose to spare him so he can tell everyone else to leave them alone.
Jim McAlester
There's not really a memorable villain in this film as the plot mostly focuses on the bond between the leading ladies. If there is one true big bad, it's Jim McAlester (Ralph Ineson). When Sam was out kicking ass, she made an enemy out of Jim as one of her victims was his son.
He was billed as a serious threat throughout the film, with The Firm quickly giving up Sam to avoid his vengeance. Though Jim doesn't get a ton of screen time, he is intimidating and his speech while at the diner near the end of the film is more memorable than most of what other characters did.
Anna May
As noted, the females are at the center of the story and they're all pretty great. Anna May (Angela Bassett) is one of the members of The Sisterhood and she stands out for how she is quick to scold Scarlet when she appears. She hasn't forgotten what she did and isn't quick to forgive either.
It's hard to really figure out where each of the three Sisterhood ladies who showed up at the library rank. They kind of go hand in hand but Anna May, as cool as she is, gets the fewest moments to stand out from the pack.
Madeline
The first member of The Sisterhood to appear is Madeline (Carla Gugino), as she works behind the desk at the library. When it comes time for the big fight against some of McAlester's men, it's Madeline who ends up staying behind to babysit and protect Emily, which made her seem less tough at first.
That quickly changed when Madeline got into a van with Emily and started mowing down enemies with a massive gun out of the roof. It's one of the coolest moments of the film and Madeline showed her badass side when she fought through a gunshot wound. The fight cost her her life but she stepped up in a big way.
Florence
The final member of The Sisterhood is Florence (Michelle Yeoh), who gets some of the most entertaining moments of the movie. She might start as a somewhat forgettable member since Anna May was vocal about Scarlet and Madeline is the first to show up. However, once things get going, Florence is a force to be reckoned with.
She gets fantastic fight scenes and is behind what is arguably the film's best kill when she hangs one of her enemies with a chain off of a balcony. Florence is there at every turn for her fellow women and showcases a brutal nature when she has to.
Scarlet
Right off the bat, the audience is meant to not be a fan of Scarlet (Lena Headey). She abandoned Sam when she was just a young girl and left her to fend for herself. Then, when she returns, she chastises her daughter for following in her footsteps, even though Sam didn't know any other life.
Thankfully, Scarlet becomes a more well-rounded character when she reveals the truth about why she left Sam behind. She also gets her redemption when she shows up at the diner to have her daughter's back and save her and Emily from certain death.
Emily
You simply can't help but be drawn in by Emily (Chloe Coleman). Her story starts in harrowing fashion as she is held captive, her father is killed, and then she goes on adventures with Sam. Although Sam is the one who killed her dad, Emily bonds with her when they're in trouble together.
Emily goes so far as to call herself Sam's apprentice, even if that's not what Sam wants. She's incredibly brilliant, especially for her age, and despite her terrible situation, she proves herself to be both tough and brave. Her compassion also never wavered as she chose to spare Nathan in the end.
Sam
As is often the case, the best character in a movie is the protagonist. Sam (Karen Gillan) is who the story centers around and she immediately stands out for her toughness. She beats up every guy who comes at her and she puts herself in further danger because she can't leave Emily behind.
Having been abandoned herself in the past, Sam saw a lot of herself in Emily and did everything in her power to protect her. She also came clean about killing Emily's father at the risk of losing her because it was the right thing to do. The fact that she reunites with her mother and takes Emily under her wing makes it all even better.