Paul Walker’s Greatest Role Is Not in the Fast and Furious World

Paul Walker sadly passed away on November 30, 2013. He was 40 years old at his time of passing. His death shocked and saddened people all over the world as he left behind a lasting legacy in cinema.

Although he is most renowned for his part in the hugely successful Fast & Furious franchise, his acting skills branched out much further than this. In particular, one movie stands out as an underrated gem in his filmography and is actually an overlooked film altogether. So, here’s why you should check out Running Scared.

What Is the Plot of Running Scared?

Paul Walker in Running Scared (2006)

Written and directed by Wayne Kramer, Running Scared is an exhilarating crime thriller that moves along at a relentless and unstoppable pace. The plot centres on a handgun as it exchanges hands across one crazy, blood-soaked, odyssey-like evening, moving from the suburbs to the dark and dingy city. At the heart of the story is Joey Gazelle (Paul Walker), a low-ranking thug who is entrusted to hide a gun that was used to kill a corrupt policeman. However, when his son’s best friend Oleg (Cameron Bright) steals it and uses it on his abusive stepfather, Joey embarks on a race against time to get it back as the young boy traverses the perilous, depraved city. As the night goes on, Oleg comes face to face with the worst characters of the city, walking into danger after danger.

Why This Is the Best Paul Walker Movie

Running Scared (2006)

While Oleg is the core of the movie, it is Walker’s character Joey that elevates tension as he tries to fix a situation that threatens his whole family. Prior to this role, Walker was primarily known for his rendition as Brian O’Connar in the Fast & Furious movies. As that franchise grew and the hype kept building, the budgets got larger and each instalment got more and more inflated. However, Running Scared gave Walker much more to work with as a flawed anti-hero rather than a straight-up good guy. At first, Joey seems all about himself, tracking down Oleg to protect himself and his crew. Yet, as the stakes get higher, his mission becomes much more about protecting Oleg from not only his brutal home life, but the despicable people he comes across in the city. This demonstrated Walker’s ability to delve into dramatic realms and not solely rely on his physicality and action star prowess.

In addition to Walker’s commanding rendition, director Wayne Kramer’s stylistic choices massively contribute to the film’s intense, anxiety-inducing atmosphere. Kramer employs rapid jump cuts and frenetic editing that create a sense of chaos and urgency, immersing viewers in the chaos of Joey’s world. The fast-paced editing heightens the tension, making every single frame feel unpredictable, visceral, and incredibly raw. What’s more, hyper-surreal visuals – such as distorted angles, stark lighting contrasts, and disorienting sequences – deftly add to the film’s gritty, nightmarish tone, thrusting us into the chaos Joey and Oleg are enduring. These stylistic choices have since become hallmarks of Kramer’s work, and in Running Scared, they serve to elevate the film from a standard crime thriller to a visceral, edge-of-your-seat experience.

Walker’s Intensity Is Closely Matched by Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga and Cameron Bright in Running Scared (2006)

Not only is the chemistry between Paul Walker and Vera Farmiga magnetic and tantalizing, for a good portion of the movie, they are on separate paths. Farmiga stars as Joey’s wife Teresa. At the beginning of the film, the chemistry between them adds layer of humour to lighten the load. However, as the bizarre night goes on, Teresa embarks on her own mission when she saves Oleg from a monstrous couple who have kidnapped him and two other children. This is arguably the most disturbing yet emotionally-charged sequence in the film and serves as an early demonstration of Farmiga’s exceptional talent as a thespian.

When she comes down from her horrendous encounter, Joey comforts Teresa, giving the audience another glimpse of his softer side. To that, Walker’s ability to deliver a multi-layered and nuanced performance shines through. So, while Running Scared is a much lesser-known movie from Paul Walker’s portfolio, it’s one that really deserves a second look. Although it wasn’t a box office smash hit by any means, it has since garnered a loyal cult following from both crime movie fans and lovers of Walker’s work. And while the action isn’t the driving force, when it kicks off, Running Scared matches the ferocity of any Fast & Furious flick with ease.

Read Next: These 5 Underrated Val Kilmer Movies Deserve a Second Chance

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