Catch the Fair One ★★★½

KEEP an eye out for Catch the Fair One, a taut 2021 thriller written, directed, and produced by Josef Kubota Wladyka.

This is Wladyka’s first feature after directing episodes of several strong television series.

It also features the acting debut of professional Native American boxer Karel Reis who lays the lead role of Kaylee.

When the film opens the story is already underway, leavening the audience to catch up during the first act.

Kaylee is a former boxer who seems to be training for something else, learning how to fight men bigger and stronger and sleep with a razor blade in her mouth.

Two spoke involved with a sex trafficking ring help her voluntarily join the next group of women being exploited so she can find her missing younger sister.

It’s a dark and confronting film in both subject matter and approach, with moments of explosive violence.

There’s also a sadness and sense of dread that hangs over the story, made all the more palatable by the direction, blocking and lighting as well as the performances led by the excellent Reis.

I’ve seen a few genre films in recent years either made by or starring Native Americans and they have all brought fresh and interesting new approaches to familiar material.