‘Heart of Stone’: Gal Gadot trades magic lasso for sleek espionage in a lackluster spy thriller

Gal Gadot’s “Heart of Stone”: A Lackluster Spy Thriller

Gal Gadot, known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman, is back in action in the new Netflix movie “Heart of Stone.” Unfortunately, this spy thriller falls short of its potential and feels like a poor imitation of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. While there are some decent action moments scattered throughout the film’s two-hour runtime, overall, “Heart of Stone” fails to capture the audience’s attention and lacks the charisma that Gadot is known for.

An Unoriginal Plot and a Lost Opportunity

The film centers around Gadot’s character, Rachel Stone, a “baby agent” at Britain’s MI6, who secretly works as a lethal operative for a shadowy spy network known as the Charter. Stone’s contacts in the Charter, including her boss and a tech expert, aid her in using a high-tech AI called the Heart to overcome threats. The film takes an unexpected twist early on, offering a glimmer of hope for its potential. However, this twist ultimately leads to a convoluted game of spy versus spy versus spy, without adding any distinctive elements to the genre.

Directed by Tom Harper, whose previous streaming effort, “The Aeronauts,” also left much to be desired, “Heart of Stone” fails to make the most of Gadot’s likability and talent. While Gadot’s previous Netflix project, “Red Notice,” brought playfulness and humor to the action genre, “Heart of Stone” lacks these qualities. Even the most notable action sequences, such as one featuring a blimp, fail to make up for the film’s overall lackluster execution.

A Missed Opportunity for Gadot’s Talents

Gal Gadot shines as a protagonist, even in roles where she cannot deflect bullets with her magic lasso, but the structure of “Heart of Stone” leaves much to be desired. The film begins in the middle of the story, providing little backstory to distinguish Stone from the countless other cinematic spies we have seen before. As a result, the overall impression is that “Heart of Stone” is a hodgepodge of borrowed elements from other films, making it hard to stand out in a crowded genre.

Conclusion: A Lackluster Addition to the Spy Thriller Genre

In conclusion, “Heart of Stone” disappoints as a sleek espionage film and fails to fully utilize Gal Gadot’s talent and charisma. While there are some enjoyable action moments, they are not enough to save the movie from its lackluster execution. For fans of Gadot, it may still be worth a watch to see her in action, but overall, “Heart of Stone” feels like a forgettable addition to the vast catalogue of spy thrillers.