With Snitch now streaming on Lionsgate Play, it’s a good time to revisit one of Dwayne Johnson’s most low-key—and honestly most interesting—films. This isn’t the version of Johnson we’re used to seeing. No wisecracks, no superhero confidence, no invincibility. Just a stressed-out dad making bad decisions because the alternative is losing his kid to the prison system.
The setup hits hard and fast. John Matthews is a regular, successful businessman whose teenage son gets arrested after unknowingly getting wrapped up in a drug drop. The law doesn’t care that he was naive or clueless. Mandatory minimum sentencing kicks in, and suddenly this kid is looking at decades behind bars. Out of options, Matthews agrees to work with federal agents, offering to help bring down bigger players in exchange for a lighter sentence for his son.
What makes Snitch work is how uncomfortable it feels. Matthews isn’t clever or prepared. He’s visibly scared in almost every scene, constantly overreaching and hoping things don’t collapse around him. The movie doesn’t rush these moments. It lets conversations drag, lets silences hang, and lets the danger feel close instead of cinematic. You’re always aware that this could end very badly.
Dwayne Johnson is genuinely solid here. He strips everything back and plays Matthews as a man running purely on desperation. It’s one of those performances where you stop thinking about the actor and just watch the character sweat through impossible choices. He’s supported well by Jon Bernthal, whose role as a struggling ex-con trying to stay clean adds an extra layer of weight to the story. Bernthal brings a rough honesty that makes his arc quietly devastating.
Susan Sarandon pops in as a federal prosecutor, cool and calculating, representing a system that’s more interested in leverage than fairness. The film doesn’t scream its message, but it’s clear: the justice system isn’t built for nuance, and people get crushed in the process.
That said, Snitch isn’t perfect. There are moments where the plot pushes its luck, especially when Matthews gains access to people he realistically shouldn’t. The pacing can also feel slow if you’re expecting action-heavy thrills. This is more about tension than adrenaline.
Still, that restraint is what gives the movie its edge. When violence happens, it matters. When deals are made, you feel the risk. Snitch isn’t trying to impress—it’s trying to unsettle.
If you’re browsing Lionsgate Play and want something grounded, tense, and a little angry at the system, Snitch is an easy recommendation. It’s not flashy, but it sticks with you—and sometimes that’s better.
Rating: 3.5/5
