Off the Grid is an effort to make an epic action film, and it achieves exactly that, although there isn’t much more depth to the piece. Starring Josh Duhamel and including performances from incredible talent such as Peter Stormare and Greg Kinnear, Off the Grid assembles an impressive cast. The quality of the effects is also solid, despite the smaller scale of the production, and the action scenes are enigmatic and engaging. Guy, played by Duhamel (Transformers, Safe Haven), is a brilliant scientist and engineer. However, when his greatest work is set to be repurposed into a weapon of mass destruction, he takes his research and runs from his former employers. Despite seeking refuge in a small suburban town, his past catches up to him, and he must fight to avoid the loss of countless lives through his work.
Off The Grid Is A Fun Action Film With A Solid Cast

Josh Duhamel does a great job playing a reclusive genius in a small town. While he avoids socializing in general, a few of the locals begin to make connections with him, leading to the character feeling relatively at ease in his new home. But peace never lasts long when you’re on the run, and Guy’s employers track his movements, which results in a swarm of shady assailants arriving in town.

Josh Duhamel does a great job playing a reclusive genius in a small town.

After that, it’s a game of cat and mouse, as Guy sets up traps and evades capture. The action throughout is fun and well-choreographed, resulting in a solid and creative action story. It also raises tension and stakes throughout as the locals become embroiled in the conflict. It gives Guy more reason to find a new solution to ensure there are no casualties.
However, this is also where cracks start to show. Guy is set up as being anti-violence and a brilliant scientist, yet he somehow becomes a master combatant capable of killing attackers with relative ease and a lack of any moral issues. Of course, this adds to the action and thrills of the film, but from the perspective of the story being established, things start to fall apart.
The Story Is Off The Grid’s Weakest Point

In truth, the story is by far the weakest part of this movie — from the script, with awkward dialogue between characters, and the idea that Guy is an elite fighter without any proper exploration of how or why that’s the case. The story feels like an afterthought for this action movie, and while it makes some surface-level sense, it is nothing special.

It’s not particularly special, or an all-time great action story, but it’s decent, and the quality is there.

Despite this, the actors manage to salvage scenes with awkward writing and appear engaging and committed to the bit. It is a little jarring because the actual words don’t hold any weight, but there is a lot of talent and time being poured in from the incredible cast across the board. Beyond just the bigger names on the call sheet, everyone gives their all to ensure it feels genuine. All that said, Off the Grid manages to be a decent movie. It’s not particularly memorable or an all-time great action story, but it’s decent, and the quality is there. Off the Grid is an overall satisfying action movie as long as you’re willing to look past the bare-bones plot.

Off the Grid

6/10

Release Date

June 27, 2025

Director

Johnny Martin

Writers

Jim Agnew

Producers

David Lipper, Rafael Primorac, Richard Salvatore, Andrea Iervolino

Pros & Cons

The acting across the board is strong and emotive.
The action scenes throughout are impressive.

The dialogue feels unrefined and clunky.
The story lacks coherency and a sensible narrative.