Female lead characters in action films are often criticized as weak when they lack depth, agency or compelling motivations, reducing them to stereotypes rather than fully developed individuals. Strong characters like Ellen Ripley from Alien and Lara Croft from Tomb Raider stand out because they are resourceful, determined and relatable. Ripley’s survival is earned through grit and intelligence, while Lara Croft’s evolution into a nuanced, flawed hero makes her a compelling and memorable figure. These characters resonate with audiences because their stories are driven by authentic struggles and growth, not just surface-level traits.
In contrast, remakes like Charlie’s Angels (2019) and the all-female Ghostbusters (2016) have been criticized for relying on empowerment tropes without giving their characters meaningful depth. The Charlie’s Angels reboot focused heavily on feminist messaging but lacked significant character development or stakes, while the Ghostbusters remake leaned on humor and camaraderie without the genuine tension and character arcs that made the original team iconic.
These films show that strong characters are defined by their depth and relatability, not their gender, and that audiences connect best with heroes whose challenges and growth feel authentic and earned.
The film, Dirty Angels, is a new female-led action thriller from Lionsgate. Set against the backdrop of the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the story follows Jake (Eva Green) as she leads a team of elite soldiers on a daring rescue mission to save a group of kidnapped teenagers. Disguised as medics on a humanitarian aid mission, the predominantly female unit must navigate the perilous terrain of the war-torn country, skillfully avoiding deadly encounters with both the Taliban and ISIS, as they make their way into the heart of the conflict.
As I’ve mentioned, for a movie to truly resonate with its audience, it needs characters that possess both depth and relatability. Unfortunately, Dirty Angels misses the mark in this regard. Eva Green, a seasoned actress with an impressive resume — she won Best Female Newcomer at the Empire Awards for her performance in Casino Royale and has been nominated numerous times for other awards — seems like a perfect fit for the role of Jake. With Casino Royale director Martin Campbell at the helm, one would expect the same kind of dynamic chemistry and character-driven storytelling that elevated that film.
However, Dirty Angels fails to deliver on this promise.
While Eva Green’s Jake is the only character given any substantial screen time or development, even her arc feels underwhelming and underexplored. The rest of the ensemble cast, despite the film’s attempt to highlight a diverse, predominantly female team, fades into the background, making it difficult to remember who these characters are or what they contribute to the story.
The film sacrifices meaningful character moments in favor of action-heavy sequences, which ultimately diminishes the emotional impact. It’s disappointing to see such potential wasted, particularly with the talent involved, leaving Dirty Angels feeling hollow, despite its high-stakes premise. When it comes to action sequences, Dirty Angels is disappointingly underwhelming, as well. For a film centered on military personnel embarking on a high stakes rescue mission, you’d expect gritty, practical effects, realistic combat and a sense of tactical authenticity. Instead, the film leans heavily on subpar CGI, which undermines the intensity and realism of its action scenes.
Helicopters look like they’ve been pulled straight from an early 2000s video game, complete with unnatural movements and unconvincing textures. This lack of visual polish makes it difficult to take the action seriously, detracting from the film’s ability to immerse the audience in its high-stakes premise.
The weaponry fares no better. Rifles, bazookas and other military-grade weapons fire projectiles that look cartoonish, with their impacts feeling equally unconvincing and lacking any real sense of power or consequence. Explosions are similarly unimpressive, more akin to generic digital effects than the visceral chaos of real-life combat.
For a film that hinges on its action to drive tension and excitement, Dirty Angels completely falls short. The reliance on poorly executed CGI not only diminishes the film’s credibility but also robs the audience of the visceral thrills that a military action movie should deliver. Instead of gripping and intense, the action feels artificial and uninspired, leaving viewers disconnected from what should have been the film’s most dynamic moments.
I give Dirty Angels a dismal one out of five stars. This film is a failure on multiple levels, letting down everyone involved. It squandered Eva Green’s talent, providing her with a lackluster script and a story that never tapped into her strengths as a highly capable actress. It failed director Martin Campbell, whose impressive track record is tarnished by this uninspired addition to his resume.
Worst of all, it failed the crew, who had to work with subpar props, laughable CGI and uninspired production design. Dirty Angels is a completely skippable film, offering nothing of value beyond a formulaic, mindlessly substandard war movie that lacks any emotional weight or memorable moments.
Save yourself the time — this is one mission not worth embarking on.