Peppermint

I remember seeing the trailer for Peppermint and thinking, "Is Sydney Bristow finally back from her long vacation?" It had been far too long since we saw Jennifer Garner actually hit someone, and while she was busy being the internet's favorite relatable mom, some of us were hungry for that Alias fire. When I finally sat down to watch it—while trying to ignore my radiator clanking like a percussion section in the corner of my apartment—I realized this wasn't just a comeback; it was a total demolition of the "nice girl" persona.

Beyond the Soccer Mom Scowl

The setup is classic revenge-cinema meat and potatoes. Riley North (Jennifer Garner) is a suburban mom who watches her husband and daughter get mowed down by a cartel hit in a drive-by. When the corrupt judicial system lets the killers walk, Riley doesn't just write a stern letter to her congressman; she vanishes for five years, robs a bank, and transforms into a one-woman demolition derby.

What makes this work is Jennifer Garner herself. She’s always had this incredible vulnerability that makes her feel human, which is why it's so satisfying when she finally starts snapping limbs. Unlike the untouchable coolness of a certain Mr. Wick, Riley feels like she’s vibrating with a mix of trauma and adrenaline. I loved that she isn't some polished assassin; she’s a mom who watched YouTube tutorials on how to stitch up a gash in her own side. It gives the movie a "DIY-death" vibe that feels very much in line with our current era of "if you want it done right, do it yourself."

The Morel Method: From Taken to Targeted

Director Pierre Morel is basically the godfather of the modern "middle-aged person with a very particular set of skills" subgenre. He gave us the original Taken (2008), and you can see that DNA all over Peppermint. The action is staged with a clarity that I really appreciate in an era of "shaky-cam" induced nausea. The shootouts in the Skid Row warehouse have a rhythmic, percussive quality that makes every gunshot feel like a closing argument.

The stunt work here is remarkably physical. Apparently, Jennifer Garner did the vast majority of her own stunts, training in MMA and weightlifting for months to make sure she looked like she could actually take a punch. There’s a scene where she’s dangling from a moving vehicle that looks genuinely terrifying. It’s refreshing to see a contemporary action film lean into that physical reality instead of relying on a digital double to do the heavy lifting. It’s basically a Punisher comic with better hair and a more relatable grocery list.

A Contemporary Cult of Catharsis

While critics absolutely mauled this movie upon release—mostly for its simplistic take on the justice system and its "problematic" vigilante tropes—audiences told a completely different story. It’s become a bit of a cult favorite on streaming platforms, and I think I know why. We live in an era where the "system" often feels like a giant, uncaring machine. Watching a woman dismantle that machine with a Glock and a grimace is the cinematic equivalent of a weighted blanket for the frustrated.

The film also leans into its own absurdity in a way that’s weirdly charming. The title "Peppermint" comes from the daughter’s favorite ice cream flavor, which Riley is eating right before the tragedy. It’s a bit of "on-the-nose" writing by Chad St. John (London Has Fallen), but in the context of a 102-minute thriller, I’m not looking for Shakespeare; I’m looking for a reason to cheer.

Interestingly, the movie features some great supporting turns from John Gallagher Jr. and John Ortiz as the detectives trying to piece together Riley’s trail of breadcrumbs. They represent the "good" part of the system that is simply too slow to keep up with a mother on a mission. And Juan Pablo Raba makes for a deliciously punchable villain as Diego Garcia, the cartel boss who realizes too late that he picked the wrong family to mess with.

Stuff You Might Not Have Noticed

If you’re a fan of street art, you’ll notice the recurring "angel wings" mural throughout the film. It became a bit of a social media phenomenon after the movie’s release, symbolizing Riley as a guardian of the forgotten. Also, pay attention to the budget—this thing was made for a relatively lean $25 million. It looks much more expensive than it is, which is a testament to the cinematography of David Lanzenberg, who manages to make the grittiest parts of Los Angeles look like a neon-soaked purgatory.

Turns out, Jennifer Garner actually kept the original "Peppermint" flavor ice cream container from the set as a souvenir. It’s a weirdly sweet detail for a movie that features a man being strapped to a chair and blown up with a claymore mine. But that’s the magic of Peppermint—it’s a movie that understands that sometimes, the only thing better than a happy ending is a very loud one.

Peppermint isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, but it certainly knows how to spin it. It’s a lean, mean, slightly ridiculous actioner that serves as a fantastic showcase for Jennifer Garner's range as an action star. If you can push past the plot holes and the "justice for all" clichés, it’s an incredibly satisfying ride for a Friday night when you’re feeling a little bit fed up with the world. Just maybe don't try the "YouTube surgery" at home.