Pat Tate is back in Rise of the Footsoldier: Retribution, the seventh instalment in the true-crime franchise. The moral debates about turning one of the Essex Boys into a cool action vigilante are valid and lingered with me throughout the film. However, the film overcomes many of these concerns to genuinely shine, delivering an action experience that may stand as the strongest entry in the franchise to date. It also marks a bold progression from the previous instalment, Vengeance, thanks to Nick Nevern’s confident and sharply focused direction.
The film opens with Jack Sullivan (Tamer Hassan) and his army of mercenaries as we cross-cut between their theft of a military truck filled with guns and a bank robbery targeting its gold. The story then shifts back to Ibiza, where Pat Tate (Craig Fairbrass) remains on his mission to kill everyone responsible for the death of his best friend, Kenny. However, as Pat’s vendetta begins to intersect with the gun-smuggling operation, he finds himself in the crosshairs of multiple dangerous players, including the CIA.
Right from the get-go, from its opening heist to the action sequence in an Ibiza nightclub, the film is shot with a slickness that deserves recognition, especially given that previous instalments, aside from Vengeance, aren’t known for their visual aesthetics. You can feel that this film has a clear vision for how it wants to be framed. From rack focuses that look nothing short of stunning to shot choices that can only be described as artistic, including a moment where Pat stands at the edge of the frame while his full posture is revealed in shadow on the wall, the visual ambition is unmistakable.
While I wish this ambition carried over into the filming of the action, many shots are framed too close to the characters, which can make it difficult to see what’s unfolding on screen. However, because it isn’t paired with quick-cut editing, the choreography is still easy to appreciate. The gunplay, on the other hand, truly shines, especially in the final action set piece, which is nothing short of pure insanity. I had no idea the franchise would commit fully to becoming a full-tilt, balls-to-the-wall action film.
Craig Fairbrass was born to play Pat Tate, and he continues the strong, emotionally driven work he delivered in the previous instalment. Pat’s struggle with the trauma of Kenny’s death, channelled into an act of retribution, as he believes the only path to peace is to kill everyone involved, is conveyed effectively with minimal dialogue. The recurring supporting cast is also strong, including director Nick Nevern, who is solid as the sleazy dealer Greener, while new additions like Vanessa Bauer and Tamer Hassan deliver commendable performances.
Narratively, the film does rely on a few convenient moments to push the story forward, such as a rogue CIA agent who seems to exist solely to get the bullets flying, and a key plot point involving an important death whose implications take longer than expected to be fully addressed.
Rise of the Footsoldier: Retribution is by far the best film in this long-running franchise, a fun and thrilling action flick that fully commits to its premise. With its great cinematography, strong performances, and the bold vision of director Nick Nevern, it all comes together to deliver a genuinely impressive entry, even if the series’ signature harsh language is noticeably toned down this time around.
World-premiered at the 2026 Edinburgh Film Festival and in UK cinemas August 28th / Craig Fairbrass, Jamie Foreman, Jana Perez, Tamer Hassan, Vanessa Bauer / Dir: Nick Nevern / Signature Entertainment / 15
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