Guns Up (2025) Review: Redemption or Just Revenge?

Guns Up follows Ray Hayes (Kevin James), a former cop turned mob enforcer, who longs to leave the criminal world behind and open a small diner with his wife, Alice (Christina Ricci). But when a final deal goes wrong, Ray finds himself and his children in danger. With one chaotic night to escape the city and the consequences of his past, Ray must protect his family at all costs—even if it means going through a gauntlet of bullets, betrayal, and brutal choices.

Ray’s decision to “do one last job” before going clean is a classic tale of delayed repentance—and a cautionary one. From a Christian view, Guns Up explores the wages of sin (Romans 6:23), though not overtly. The desire to protect family is noble, but the path Ray takes is paved with violence and moral compromise. While the film hints at redemption, it lacks true repentance or spiritual depth. The bloodshed outweighs the heart, leaving the viewer questioning whether the ends ever justify the means. For believers, it’s a reminder that true refuge and transformation come only through Christ, not through brute force.

Edward Drake sets up a tense premise—a one-night race against time—but the execution falls into formula. While the setup teases moral complexity, the film mostly delivers by-the-numbers action scenes and standard thriller beats. The pacing is decent, though occasionally dragged down by expositional dialogue. Tonally, it struggles—fluctuating between grounded thriller and stylized shoot‑’em‑up.

Kevin James attempts to break away from comedy, but his performance as Ray lacks emotional range or charisma. The weight of his character’s inner conflict doesn’t register, and his on-screen dynamic with Christina Ricci feels flat. Ricci offers some grounded moments, while Luis Guzmán and Melissa Leo inject energy, but overall development is thin and predictable.

This is an R‑rated action film for discerning adult viewers. Expect sustained violence, foul language, and morally complex themes. No sexual content, but the brutality and bleak tone may trouble some. Not suitable for families or younger teens.