Taron Egerton stars in a gripping father-daughter thriller as an ex-con fighting alongside his strong-willed daughter.
She Rides Shotgun is a gripping film that explores what happens when a young daughter steps in to save her estranged father’s life while he is being pursued by relentless enemies. Directed by Nick Rowland and produced by Hiro Murai, known for his work on Atlanta and The Bear, the movie centers on Nate, an ex-con seeking redemption, and his daughter Polly as they navigate dangerous circumstances.
The Taron Egerton father-daughter thriller brings this tense and emotional story to life with Egerton playing Nate and Ana Sophia Heger as Polly, crafting a captivating father-daughter dynamic that anchors the film’s tension and emotional depth.
Unexpected Depth in Ana Sophia Heger’s Portrayal of Polly
While Taron Egerton’s strong acting reputation sets a high bar, Ana Sophia Heger’s performance as Polly stood out even to her more experienced co-star. Egerton reflected on their first interaction, saying,
“I thought I was going to be [in] the big brother, mentor role,”
but Heger quickly changed that dynamic.
He praised her immediate understanding of the role, sharing,
“Ana just, very immediately, knew exactly what she was doing and had a complete understanding of what she wanted to convey with the character.”
Egerton recalled their initial chemistry read over Zoom, where Heger’s readiness surprised him:
“When we first met over Zoom, I said, ‘Are you nervous? It’s okay to be nervous. I’m a bit nervous too.’ And [she] said, ‘I am nervous, but I’m ready.’ We did the scene, and [she] blew us all away.”
He highlighted the emotional resonance she brought to the part:
“There was so much heart in what [she] was doing, It was very thoughtful and charismatic, and she was just the perfect choice for the role.”
How Polly and Nate’s Relationship Drives the Film’s Emotional Core
Polly’s character is far more than a passive child caught in danger; she is a strong, resilient figure who grows tougher as the story unfolds. Egerton explained,
Image of: Taron Egerton
“She’s trying to help her dad and [herself] survive. She just gets the strength from [everything] she’s going through. She’s watching all these crazy things happen, so she knows how to be stronger.”
He added,
“And … she gets stronger throughout the movie.”
Beyond her individual strength, Polly serves as a stabilizing and supportive force for Nate when he struggles under the pressure. Egerton described this dynamic:
“There were moments where Nate is barely coping, and I think what Ana brought so beautifully to Polly is [that] she could see that he wasn’t coping and that he was ill-equipped. So, the moments where he becomes vulnerable, she takes care of him.”
Ultimately, Egerton summarized their connection by emphasizing the mutual nature of their survival:
“I think the key to their relationship is that, sure, he is there to [try] and save her life, but she saves his as well, after a fashion. [They’re] saving each other, basically.”
Availability and Impact of She Rides Shotgun
She Rides Shotgun is currently playing in theaters and is also available for digital rental, offering audiences a tense, emotional story powered by strong performances from both lead actors. This film marks a new type of role for Egerton, known for his work in Kingsman and Rocketman, where he earned a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elton John. Likewise, Ana Sophia Heger, who appeared in the sitcom Life in Pieces, delivers a breakthrough performance that challenges typical expectations for child characters in thrillers.
The collaboration between Egerton and Heger, under the direction of Nick Rowland and with production by Hiro Murai, results in a thoughtful exploration of family, survival, and unexpected strength in the face of danger, making She Rides Shotgun a notable entry in the father-daughter thriller genre.
