Peppermint (2018) is a gritty, high-octane revenge thriller that delivers emotional depth with brutal force. Directed by Pierre Morel (Taken), the film stars Jennifer Garner in a powerful, career-redefining performance as Riley North—a devoted mother whose life is shattered in an instant when her husband and young daughter are gunned down in a drive-by shooting orchestrated by a ruthless drug cartel.
When the corrupt justice system lets the killers walk free, Riley disappears—only to resurface five years later as a relentless force of vengeance. Hardened, trained, and emotionally scarred, she wages a one-woman war on everyone responsible: the gang members, the lawyers, the cops on the take, and the cartel kingpins who thought they were untouchable.
Set against the gritty backdrop of Los Angeles, Peppermint combines raw emotion with explosive action. It’s a story of transformation—of a woman pushed beyond the limits of grief into a ruthless avenger with nothing left to lose. Riley’s journey isn’t just about revenge; it’s about justice in a world where the system failed her. She becomes a vigilante hero to the people, striking from the shadows and leaving behind a trail of bodies and burned-out safehouses..
What sets Peppermint apart is its blend of heart and fury. Garner brings both vulnerability and ferocity to the role, showcasing not just her action chops, but the emotional pain that fuels every bullet she fires. While it pays homage to classic revenge films like The Punisher and Death Wish, Peppermint offers a unique female perspective, turning grief into empowerment.
With intense fight scenes, high-speed chases, and a chilling sense of justice served outside the law, Peppermint is a gritty, fast-paced thriller that asks one burning question: what happens when the system fails a mother who has nothing left to lose?
