'Rising Wolf' (Ascendant) Review: An Unwieldy Mix of Hostage Drama and YA-style Fantasy
Charlotte Best's terrific lead performance is the highlight of a disjointed trapped-in-elevator thriller.
Richard Kuipers, provided by
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Director: Antaine Furlong
With: Charlotte Best, Jonny Pasvolsky, Alex Menglet, Tahlia Sturzaker, Karelina Clarke, Susan Prior, Andrew Jack, Lily Stewart, Elsa Cacquerel, George Burgess, John Harding, Justin Cotta (English, Russian, Mandarin dialogue)
Running time: Running time: 101 MIN.
Variety
Promising ideas turn out to be mostly empty thought bubbles in “Rising Wolf,” a confusing and derivative Aussie combo of hostage thriller and sci-fi fantasy. Centered on a terrified young woman trapped in a Shanghai skyscraper elevator by a nasty Russian villain, this muddled attempt at an elevated genre film involving time travel, psychic powers and environmental doom can’t be rescued by strong visuals or a fine central performance by Charlotte Best. A box-office disappointment when released locally on 165 screens on April 8 under the title “Ascendant,” “Rising Wolf” has been acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films and is reportedly set to open in U.S. cinemas on July 16.