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If there is one man keeping the straight-to-streaming releases coming at a steady pace, it’s Scott Adkins. Adkins, now in his mid-40s, has been churning out a couple of action movies each year while also appearing in theatrical releases, often in supporting roles. Take Cover is his latest release, which he headlines, and to make the movie appeal to a wider audience, second billing goes to Alice Eve, best known for her appearance in underwear in “Star Trek: Into Darkness”.
Unlike the typical “geezer teasers” where 60-somethings make cameo-like appearances, Scott Adkins is always front and center as the main character in his movies. This alone puts his work a notch above something Stallone might churn out, like this year’s “Armor“. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Alice Eve. Despite her prominent placement on the movie poster, the film mostly depicts her from behind, giving her character an odd Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget vibe. My guess? They had her on set for a single day, with most of that time spent in a sound booth recording dialogue.
“Take Cover” follows Scott Adkins as a burned-out professional sniper who becomes trapped in a high-tech glass penthouse, hunted by a deadly rival. With nowhere to hide and minimal cover between him and the relentless assassin, he must rely on his wits, skill, and ingenuity to survive and escape the deadly standoff.
It’s a simple premise that feels perfectly suited for a quick pitch on a napkin, reminiscent of other high-concept films like “Phone Booth.” While such setups often see the protagonist breaking free of the confined environment by the third act, “Take Cover” stays true to its premise, limiting its action to the glass penthouse, with brief scenes in other locations at the beginning and end of the movie.
This wouldn’t be an issue if the screenwriter managed to keep the story engaging throughout the entire runtime. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Given the film’s low-budget nature, I wasn’t expecting it to fully succeed in this regard. The decision to use a single location for most of the movie feels driven purely by budget constraints, and the film would have benefited greatly if Adkins had left the penthouse for the final 20–30 minutes, adding variety and momentum to the narrative.
Inside the penthouse, the situation remains mostly stable, with Adkins and three others hiding behind various pieces of furniture while a sniper keeps them pinned down. Occasionally, the tension spikes when other assailants arrive via the elevator, intent on killing everyone in the room, leading to brief one-on-one fight scenes. While these moments are a welcome change of pace, they also highlight a glaring plot hole: the sniper’s selective trigger discipline. Despite having clear shots at Adkins when he’s fully exposed, the sniper inexplicably hesitates. Yet, when Adkins is partially concealed behind a pillar, even the slightest movement—like a hand sticking out—is enough to provoke a shot.
Then again, Adkins appears practically untouchable, while everyone else is fair game. In one scene, he sprints through a hail of bullets, emerging unscathed as if the sniper had never fired at all. It’s a classic action movie trope reminiscent of the ’80s, but in the context of a film aiming for a grittier, more grounded tone than something like “Commando“, it feels jarring and out of place.
Despite being only 90 minutes long, the movie manages to drag at times, and the ending is downright ridiculous. If you want to avoid spoilers, skip to the next paragraph. Of the people trapped in the penthouse, two are prostitutes, and both meet their demise before the credits roll. However, not before one of them shares a couple of heartfelt moments with Adkins, going from openly despising him and his line of work to, in her final breaths, asking this man—whom she met just hours ago—to take care of her daughter, whom he’s never even met. Inexplicably, he agrees and follows through. It’s a silly and unearned conclusion to an otherwise decent, albeit repetitive, action movie.
For those looking for a straightforward 90-minute action movie, “Take Cover” delivers just that. However, that’s all it offers—there’s nothing particularly memorable about the film, making it feel like a missed opportunity. It’s a shame, as it could have been something more.
