In the 2015 action drama film Hard Tide, Nathanael Wiseman stars as Jake, a small-time drug dealer living in the coastal town of Margate, England. When Jake's boss, a notorious criminal named Marcel (Mem Ferda), orders him to find and deliver a large amount of drugs or pay the ultimate price, Jake is forced to make a deal with a dangerous gangster named Darius (Oliver Stark) to earn the money he needs to save his own life. However, when Jake's deal goes wrong, he is left with a difficult choice: fight for his survival or risk everything he has to protect the one person he loves most--a young boy named Jade (Alexander Newick) who has been left in his care.
The movie opens with Jake living his day-to-day life in Margate, hanging out with his friends, playing football, and selling drugs on the side. Jake has a complicated past; he's a former drug addict who turned his life around and is now trying to make an honest living supporting himself and Jade, the son of his recently deceased friend.
Jake's life takes a turn when his boss, Marcel, orders him to find and deliver a large amount of drugs or face the consequences. Desperate to save his own life and protect Jade, Jake turns to Darius, a violent and unpredictable gangster who offers to pay him for a drug deal. With the money he earns from the deal, Jake plans to pay back Marcel and get out of the drug business for good.
But things don't go according to plan. The drug deal turns violent, and Jake's actions put him and Jade in danger. When Darius and his associates come after Jake, he must fight to protect Jade and keep them both alive.
Hard Tide is a gripping, emotionally charged film that explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and love in the face of danger. Wiseman's performance as Jake is nuanced and powerful, conveying the character's vulnerability and inner turmoil while also showcasing his strength and determination.
Newick delivers a standout performance as Jade, a young boy who has been through more than most adults. Despite his troubled past, Jade is bright, compassionate, and fiercely loyal to Jake, and Newick imbues the character with a quiet strength and resilience that is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Ferda and Stark are also excellent in their respective roles as Marcel and Darius, two dangerous men whose actions have far-reaching consequences. Ferda brings a sense of menace and authority to Marcel, while Stark imbues Darius with a sense of unpredictability and violence that keeps the audience on edge.
Director Robert Osman and writer Philip Barantini have crafted a taut and suspenseful film that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. The film's seaside setting, captured beautifully by cinematographer Alexander Duffield, adds a sense of atmosphere and texture to the story, while the soundtrack, featuring original music from artists like Sam Duckworth and Tom Odell, provides a haunting and evocative backdrop for the film's emotional beats.
Overall, Hard Tide is a compelling and emotionally resonant film that delivers on all its promises. With its strong performances, gripping storyline, and stunning visuals, it's a must-see for anyone who loves intense and thought-provoking cinema.
Hard Tide is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.
