Nina Bergman commands Hell Hath No Fury

Multi-hyphenate actress, model and singer Nina Bergman has delivered an undeniable breakout performance in new World War II action-drama, Hell Hath No Fury. This also marks the latest outing from renowned indie action filmmaker Jesse V. Johnson (The Debt Collector, Accident Man, Savage Dog) and takes his own work into interesting new terrain; a contained, near-single location WWII story with a female lead. To validate the earlier point about Nina Bergman, the film would simply collapse if this pivotal performance didn’t support it. Not only does she drive the film, she anchors the drama of the entire movie.

Taking inspiration from various female resistance figures, Bergman steps into the role of French national Marie DuJardin, taking on the might of the German war machine, French guerillas, and even a ragtag band of US infantrymen. Branded a traitor and imprisoned for her ambiguous involvement with an SS officer, she is rescued by a small group of Americans on one condition, she must lead them to a cache of buried Nazi gold, before the enemy returns to reclaim it.

Set within the traditionally male war genre, Bergman believably holds her own through this complex, emotionally strong and fearless character. She has worked with Johnson before, most notably in his Wonder Woman short film, and a small role in his black and white, arthouse-styled The Beautiful Ones. She may be better recognised from Doom: Annihilation and the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 gaming campaign, but this is undoubtedly her most substantial role to date. Fully inhabiting this tortured, beaten down, yet ambiguous woman, who we remain suspicious about for much of the film, it was no doubt a tall order. Marie seems to be working multiple angles at once, plotting one character against another, but to what end?

Under Johnson’s direction, this is owed to writer Romain Serir and screenwriter Katharine Lee McEwan, feeling refreshingly different and a million miles away from the exploitation picture some might expect. Importantly, nothing feels forced, and serves as a more engaging through-line to a story about a female resistance fighter in World War II, where there must surely be more stories like it. For Bergman, it’s a note-perfect calling card for future roles. If she can do this so well, it would be very interesting to see what else she is capable of.

Back to this single location setting, a large part of the tension-building and action takes place within a cemetery where the gold is thought to be buried. The cast and dialogue is crucial during these searing moments and Johnson benefits from a strong ensemble here, with many returning actors from earlier JVJ projects. Within the cast is Louis Mandylor (The Debt Collector 1 & 2, Avengement), Timothy V. Murphy (The Doorman, Pit Fighter), Dominiquie Vandenberg (The Mercenary, The Butcher), Josef Cannon (The Debt Collector 2) and stunt coordinator/occasional character player Luke LaFontaine (The Debt Collector 1 & 2, Savage Dog). There is a natural chemistry and confidence from this (off-camera) close-knit team, which translates on screen. Mandylor and Murphy in particular, great character actors in virtually anything they do, play pretty unlikeable, jaded old wardogs who the audience can’t help but root for.

Making his JVJ debut is main villain, Daniel Bernhardt (John Wick, Atomic Blonde), who has charted a fascinating career in his own right, from top male model to 1990’s martial arts video star (taking the Bloodsport franchise reigns from Jean-Claude Van Damme), and now prolific Hollywood stuntman and supporting actor. He plays a ruthless, menacing and calculating SS officer here. Though there is rightly no martial arts on display, he holds an intimidating frame and physical presence, complete with facial scar, the background to which is revealed in the story.

Hell Hath No Fury is a hugely entertaining and thoughtful, considered war story, but not in the way action audiences might be used to. It does not serve up the usual flashbang heroics of a typical war movie. This is a far grimier, darker and oftentimes ugly window into the casualties of war and how greed and immorality can take over. Nevertheless, when the Nazis descend on an explosive ambush setup by our band of infantry misfits, you know you are watching a gritty and satisfyingly violent Jesse V. Johnson flick.

Hell Hath No Fury is out now on US Blu-ray, DVD & Digital, and UK DVD & Digital