It was supposed to be a simple journey coming home after a long day at work for Stephanie (Nicole Pastor); instead, her body was found dead near a city river. From this opening scene, we are introduced to three different men. First, we see Dave (Jordan Fraser-Trumble) buying materials from a hardware store. The materials include tape, sheeting, rope, etc. We’re also introduced to another man named Troy (Kevin Dee), who we see returning home by catching the train after a day at work and lives alone with a kitten. Lastly, the third man, Aaron (Damon Hunter), is seen packing a rifle, and shortly after getting ready, he says farewell to his son and wife. Dave picks up Aaron from his home, and the two continue to discuss their plans. We soon learn that these two men share a common interest and take it upon themselves to kidnap Troy during the night. Dave and Aaron successfully capture Troy using a drug injection, knocking him unconscious. Dave and Aaron have decided to take justice into their own hands. Troy is, in fact, a committed felon who has been released from prison. Dave and Aaron feel he should have never been released, and they both feel his original sentence was far too short, given Troy’s horrible crime. Dave and Aaron lost someone close to them, and taking Troy out in the bush with no one else around gives them the perfect opportunity to dish out both revenge and what they claim will be suitable justice given their loss. Can Dave and Aaron stick to the original plan? Will Dave and Aaron get caught in the act? Or will Troy find a way to escape and survive? “The Cost” is a slowly burning drama with minor thriller moments and tension, particularly in the film’s third act. Performance-wise, I found Jordan Fraser-Trumble and Damon Hunter worked well together. The film’s visuals are pleasing, including the central location within the bush. The audio track is also solid, and lines of dialogue are spoken firmly and clearly. Most of the film is slowly paced, with Dave and Aaron going step by step with their plan and encountering various hurdles. One example is when, shortly after kidnapping Troy and placing him in their car boot, a police officer soon pulls them over due to a broken brake light. As a thriller, some viewers may find various moments tense, partially as Troy pleads for his life while imprisoned in the woods or when Dave and Aaron’s plans are interrupted by nearby strangers. Overall, “The Cost” introduces a solid crime story that will intrigue some viewers. The feature is stunning with its visuals, and the clarity of the film’s audio track is pleasing. Leading performances from Jordan Fraser-Trumble and Damon Hunter are also great and, at key moments, compelling. Sadly, as a story, it is a drawn-out journey that felt longer than necessary. There are many moments here that are predictable, which also makes the film less dramatic. Granted, the film’s end and finale warrant some impact, but it’s a lengthy and somewhat tedious journey to get there. * This review has been written for Sanity. For more reviews from Walkden Entertainment, check out the link here: www.walkdenentertainment.com