A spin-off of the Die Hard franchise starred American actor Denzel Washington.
Tl;dr
- Ricochetan underrated thriller from Denzel Washington, is a spin-off of Die Hard.
- The character of Gail Wallens links the two films.
- Ricochet is a dark psychological thriller, focusing on the mind games between Styles and Blake.
- Ricochet was originally intended as a sequel to Dirty Harry.
Ricochet: the little-known thriller by Denzel Washington
The talented Denzel Washington has left his mark on cinema history with numerous successful films. However, one of his most gripping thrillers remains underrated: Ricochet. This 1991 film, produced by Joel Silver, the genius behind Commando, Predator And Matrixis actually a discreet spin-off of the franchise Die Hard.
An unexpected connection with Die Hard
The story of Ricochet features Styles, a police officer turned assistant prosecutor, played by Denzel Washington. Styles is tormented by a ruthless killer, Blake, whom he arrested years before. The link with Die Hard is established by the character of Gail Wallens, a journalist who covers the siege of Nakatomi Plaza, present in both films.
A dark psychological thriller
Ricochet distinguishes itself from Die Hard by his tone. It’s not so much an action movie as it is a psychological thriller, centered on the mental duel between Styles and Blake. This psychological dimension makes Ricochet one of the darkest films of Washington’s career. Styles undergoes a series of physical and psychological humiliations at the hands of Blake, making the film particularly intense.
An aborted Dirty Harry sequel
Originally, Ricochet should have been a sequel to Dirty Harry, with Clint Eastwood in the lead role. However, Client Eastwood deemed the storyline “too dark” for a sequel to Dirty Harry. The film was therefore reworked as an original project, unrelated to Eastwood’s series.
What do we think?
Ricochet is a little-known gem in Denzel Washington’s filmography. Although it is a discreet spin-off of Die Hard, it stands out for its psychological depth and dark tone. A must-see film for all fans of intense and captivating thrillers.
