Early in A quick movementBiker Wes Neal (KJ Apa, unrecognizable from his Riverdale days), is about to be released from prison and is informed by an officer of the release process. He replies dryly, “When do I get my bike back?” It sets the tone for a fast-paced sports thriller about bikes and bad men.

The first race, however, does not take place until halfway through the film. We first meet experienced biker Dean Miller (Eric Dane), Neal’s biological father who abandoned him as a child. This is a potentially melodramatic premise, but A quick movement doesn’t allow any feelings. Neal doesn’t go to Dean because he wants a father, but to get his life back on track through motorsport. Dean doesn’t feel guilty and agrees to train Neal just because he’s a good biker.

What binds them together isn’t their relationship, but a shared passion for bikes. For the best part of the film, they’re just two men on bikes – and the emotional nuances of the father-son relationship are irrelevant. Bring in another father figure, Abel (Edward James Olmos, who exudes the energy of a wise grandfather), and we get plenty of funny one-liners. For example, Dean looks at Abel and says, “He hasn’t had sex since Reagan was president,” to which Abel replies, “He hasn’t won a race since Bush was president, and I’m talking about the first one.” Simple dialogue, but effective nonetheless. The romantic aspect (with Maia Reficco in the role of Camila) is unnecessary, but also well executed. Camila gets nice little touches, like not letting her son near Neal after seeing him get violent once, or being amused every time a bike whizzes by, rather than just cheering Neal on.

Director: Kelly Blatz

Cast: Eric Dane, KJ Apa, Edward James Olmos, Maia Reficco

Streamers: Prime Video