Those Who Wish Me Dead: Plot, Cast, Reviews & Where to Watch

Angelina Jolie delivers a committed star turn in Taylor Sheridan’s propulsive 2021 action thriller, a raw chase through Montana wilderness where a smokejumper protects a 12-year-old murder witness from twin assassins. Few actresses command the screen like Jolie, and this film showcases that presence against a propulsive story built around survival and moral stakes.

Release Year: 2021 · Director: Taylor Sheridan · Lead Actor: Angelina Jolie · Genre: Action Thriller · Runtime: 100 minutes

What is “Those Who Wish Me Dead” about?

The film follows Connor (Finn Little), a 12-year-old boy who stumbles onto his father’s murder at the hands of professional assassins Jack (Aidan Gillen) and Patrick (Nicholas Hoult). Connor possesses files that could expose a powerful underworld figure in Florida, making him a moving target across Montana’s unforgiving terrain. Angelina Jolie plays Hannah, a smokejumper firefighter haunted by personal trauma who becomes Connor’s unlikely protector.

Plot Overview

The narrative kicks into motion when Jack eliminates Owen (Jake Weber), a forensic accountant whose death sends his son fleeing into the wilderness. Hannah, stationed at a remote tower, encounters the frightened boy and vows to keep him alive — even as the assassins and an advancing forest fire close in. Jon Bernthal’s Ethan, the Park County sheriff and Connor’s uncle, races to find them before the killers succeed.

Key Characters

The antagonist pairing drew particular praise from critics. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian noted that Gillen’s “malign little smile” conveyed menace with remarkable efficiency, while Hoult’s youthful demeanor created unsettling contrast alongside his partner’s calculated coldness.

Is Those Who Wish Me Dead a good movie?

Rotten Tomatoes recorded 63% positive reviews from 224 critics, with an average rating of 5.7 out of 10. The platform’s critical consensus calls it a “squarely traditional ’90s-style action thriller elevated by Taylor Sheridan’s propulsive direction.” Audience reactions have been warmer than the critics — the film has found its audience as a reliable weekend rental.

Rotten Tomatoes Score

The tomatometer score of 63% places it in middle territory among 2021 action releases. Wikipedia’s compilation confirms this figure represents 224 professional reviews. Positive reviews praised the tension and performances; negative ones cited thin plotting and familiar beats.

Audience Reception

Film community platforms like Letterboxd show sustained engagement, with users characterizing it as “the kind of mid-budget adult thriller that we need more of in today’s cinematic climate.” The disconnect between critical caution and audience enthusiasm reflects a film that knows exactly what it wants to be.

Who is in the cast of Those Who Wish Me Dead?

The ensemble brings together established names and rising talent. Wikipedia’s cast listing confirms the core group, while Vague Visages character guide provides detailed character breakdowns.

Main Cast

• Angelina Jolie as Hannah — Oscar winner known for “Girl, Interrupted” and the “Maleficent” franchise
• Finn Little as Connor — Australian actor making a strong impression as the frightened witness
• Jon Bernthal as Ethan — Park County sheriff, Connor’s protective uncle
• Aidan Gillen as Jack — Professional assassin with a chilling smile
• Nicholas Hoult as Patrick — Jack’s sniper partner with deceptive boyishness

Supporting Roles

• Jake Weber as Owen, Connor’s father and forensic accountant
• Medina Senghore as Allison, Ethan’s pregnant wife
• Tyler Perry as Arthur, a mysterious figure in the story

The implication: Sheridan packed the cast with actors who could sell menace or competence in their sleep, and it shows — even small roles feel inhabited rather than phoned in.

Where to watch Those Who Wish Me Dead?

The film has cycled through multiple platforms since its 2021 release. Vague Visages streaming guide documented its availability on both HBO Max and Netflix, though streaming catalogs change constantly. Currently, the most reliable options appear to be rental or purchase through Prime Video or Apple TV.

Netflix Availability

Netflix’s library rotates quarterly, and titles frequently appear and disappear based on licensing agreements. If “Those Who Wish Me Dead” is currently listed, it’s worth streaming immediately — there’s no guarantee of long-term availability. Users searching “is it on Netflix” frequently encounter regional variations, so availability may differ depending on your country.

Other Platforms

• Prime Video (rent or buy)
• Apple TV (rent or buy)
• HBO Max (check current library)
• Netflix (regional, not guaranteed)

Did Taylor Sheridan write Those Who Wish Me Dead?

Taylor Sheridan co-wrote and directed the film, working from a screenplay credited to himself, Michael Koryta (the original novel’s author), and Charles Leavitt. Wikipedia confirms Sheridan shaped the material through his distinctive lens, transforming Koryta’s novel into a vehicle for his signature propulsive style.

Writer and Director

Sheridan’s reputation was already cemented by “Sicario,” “Hell or High Water,” and “Wind River” when he took on this project. His continued interest in American frontier themes — lawlessness, survival, moral compromise — runs through every frame. The film bears his fingerprints whether he’s directing action sequences or wringing tension from a smoking tower in the Montana pines.

Stunts and Trivia

Jolie’s involvement reportedly included significant stunt work, playing directly to her action credentials built across two decades of filmmaking. The forest fire sequences were reportedly filmed with controlled burns, adding visceral authenticity that CGI cannot replicate. Sheridan’s Montana setting also reflects his personal connection to the region — the same rugged landscape that anchors his acclaimed “Yellowstone” universe.

A squarely traditional ’90s-style action thriller, Those Who Wish Me Dead is elevated by Taylor Sheridan’s propulsive direction.

— Rotten Tomatoes Critical Consensus

Almost everyone in the film is in danger of being upstaged by the pair [Gillen and Hoult]. Gillen’s malign little smile is able to convey evil with great economy and the jaded older man’s attitude works interestingly alongside Hoult’s boyish, open demeanour.

— Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD is the kind of mid-budget adult thriller that we need more of in today’s cinematic climate.

— Letterboxd Reviewer

Related reading: Jon Bernthal

Angelina Jolie stars as a smokejumper in Taylor Sheridan’s tense action flick, where his Western roots shine through as detailed in the Sheridan-directed thriller breakdown.

Frequently asked questions

For viewers craving lean, star-driven action without franchise baggage, the choice is clear: catch “Those Who Wish Me Dead” on whichever platform currently carries it, or pay the modest rental fee to own it before it vanishes from streaming again.