Marked Men: Rule + Shaw – Review | Bland Despite Its Potential To Be More
“Marked Men” is made for a specific audience, and to capture that audience, it contains everything that could be interesting about this film – but fails in execution.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Summary
With the death of his twin years earlier, it seemed Rule shut himself off to any intimacy beyond the physical. This has led to him having quite the reputation, and as he slept with one girl after another, Shaw, also known as Snowflake or Casper, has watched, trying just to be a good friend. However, with loving Rule since they were teenagers, when she was originally the best friend of Rule’s twin, she decides on her latest birthday to see if they could explore being something more.
Unfortunately for both, their pasts and people close to them complicate their relationship. Combine that with Rule’s struggle from being emotionally distant to being hit with a beautiful but unfamiliar feeling of love, and the relationship seems far from ideal, but it seems both are willing to try to make it work.
Film Details
| Film Length | 1 Hour 33 Minutes |
| Release Date | January 22, 2025 |
| Advisory Rating | Rated R |
| Genre(s) | Drama, Romance, Young Adult |
| Distributor | Vertical Entertainment |
| Director | Nick Cassavetes |
| Writer | Sharon Soboil |
| Based On Work By | Jay Crownover |
| Actor(s) | Ella Balinska, Nancy De Mayo, Sydney Taylor, Chase Stokes |
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing
- Violence: Blood, Fight Scenes, Domestic Violence
- Sexual Content: Nudity (Mild), Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Drinking, Smoking
External Links
Character Descriptions
Rule (Chase Stokes)
Rule is a tattoo artist, potentially the lead regarding getting clients at the studio he works for. Most nights, he can be found sleeping with a new woman, never someone who is a co-worker, and for the most part, his friends and brother accept who he is and don’t push him to change. Though, with the loss of his twin, it could be submitted the one person who could and would encourage him to change is lost.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Outer Banks.”
Shaw (Sydney Taylor)
Shaw was the best friend of Rule’s brother and for most of her time knowing Rule, she has had a crush on him. However, with being treated almost like a little sister, she figured nothing would happen there. But, on her birthday, she makes a move and despite Rule warning her about his ability to commit and be a boyfriend, she ignores the giant red flag he raises and dives in head first.
- The actor is also known for their role in “American Born Chinese.”
Eleanor (Nancy De Mayo)
Eleanor is Shaw’s mother who is unashamed about being a gold digger. In fact, she often encourages Shaw to do the same and with her ex, Shaw did. But, with wanting passion in her relationship, Shaw has started to stray away from her mother’s advice.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Ozark.”
Ayden (Ella Balinska)
Ayden is Shaw’s roommate and best friend who isn’t really that gung-ho on love but when she meets one of Rule’s friends, he lights a fire inside her and it makes her watching Shaw struggle a challenge.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Charlie’s Angels.”
Review
Our Rating (72/100): Mixed (Divisive)
“Marked Men: Rule + Shaw” doesn’t put a focus on anything that can make it feel special. At their core, its leads feel generic, and while front and center, everyone who could drive real interest feels like they are characters trapped behind them. Add in tame sex scenes, compared to what else is out there, which is supposed to be passionate, hot, or even explicit, and ultimately, “Marked Men: Rule + Shaw” feels like a movie to scratch an itch until something better comes along than the film anyone was waiting for.
Low Points
The Sexual Tension Is Non-Existent
There is very little to get you hot and bothered about “Marked Men: Rule + Shaw.” Generally speaking, there isn’t much in the way of passion. If you are the type who enjoyed “365 Days,” don’t expect nudity beyond Rule giving a little butt flash, and it just generally gives generically attractive people matched up.
Now, don’t get me wrong, if this is one of your first introductions to eroticism, this might do a little something. But if you’ve seen borderline explicit stuff like “365 Days” or passionate sex like “LOVE” by Gaspar Noe or “Blue Is The Warmest Color,” then “Marked Men: Rule + Shaw” will come off so tame it will be boring.
On The Fence
Slightly Different Story/ Characters
What “Marked Men: Rule + Shaw” presents feels very familiar. In some ways, it is just how stories like this are expected to play out with a girl who is young and comes off innocent with a bad boy as her love interest – who is noted to be talented at sex. Now, are there a handful of things different here? Yes.
Shaw’s mom being a proud gold digger is a notable difference from what we’re used to, but that is one of the few standouts from what is common regarding films like these.
Beyond that, even when the film tries to tap into Rule’s struggles, it feels shallow. It seems to never want to lose its familiarity with its peers, so it smooths the edges and ultimately leaves you feeling empty.
The Most Interesting Characters Get The Least Screentime
Shaw’s mom, Eleanor, is a scene stealer just for not really fitting with what is expected. But, even for those who fit the bill, like Shaw’s best friend and roommate Ayden, there is this feeling that they easily could steal Shaw’s thunder. Now, maybe it is because you don’t see a lot of women who look like Ayden star in movies like this? Maybe it is because she has what feels like a notable personality? It’s hard to say.
What I can say for sure, though, is that, largely, there are many characters who draw you in, and it becomes frustrating that your attention is constantly redirected to Shaw and Rule. And don’t get me wrong, I get this movie is about them. The issue is, everyone around them comes off so much more interesting that, even if you don’t remember their names, like many in Rule’s life, they did more than enough to make you want to look them up on IMDB and hope, if this gets a sequel, those who live could maybe get more screentime.
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