Navot Papushado showcases an assassin world with contrasted Neon Lights and Slow-Mo bullet shots. In his Gunpowder Milkshake, assassins from two generations, mother-daughter, work for an organized contract firm. But due to their genetic righteousness, they turn against the Firm.
Much similar to John Wick’s world, Director Navot constructs a gang of female executioners who hide their guns in between thick books. A barrack kind of library run by three women like the Three Witches of Shakespeare. All is too neat and poetic in Gunpowder Milkshake, yet the writer Ehud Lavski failed to save it from repeated cliches. Ignoring that, the film is one hell of an action ride. Let’s take a close look at it.
‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Plot Summary
Through her opening paragraph, Protagonist Samantha “Sam” (Karen Gillan) quickly establishes her existence. She works as a hired gun for a group of men called “The Firm,” an organized syndicate that employs assassins to clean up their mess. Nathan is the facilitator of “The Firm,” and Sam work under her guidance. On her recent adventure, she kills many more individuals than required, which annoys Nathan. He calls Sam for an urgent meeting at the diner.
When he visits Sam for a dinner, he recalls the past events when 15 years ago, at the exact location, her mother, Scarlet (Lena Headey), left her under the guidance of Nathan.
Nathan arrives with a new mission at hand. Sam needs to kill an accountant who dared to steal from “The Firm.” But before the mission, Nathan wants Sam to dispose of her old weapons as they can be linked to her previous illicit job. Sam unknowingly killed Jim McAlester’s son, who is a man of supreme criminal influence. However, it’s not the only wreck she suffers. On her accountant’s job, she learns that the accountant’s daughter, Chloe Coleman, is kidnapped, and he stole the money to rescue his daughter. Sam develops feelings in the mission, and now there is no turning back.
Why did Sam’s mother, Scarlet, leave her?
On her return, Scarlet enlightened Sam about her 15 years long departure. Scarlet left London and came to the city with Sam’s father. When Sam was very young, her father was murdered by some Russian Mafia. Anna May, the librarian, and member of the sisterhood took Scarlet under her wings, and she started working for “The Firm” as an assassin.
After twelve years on the job, Scarlet finally discovered the Russian Mafia who killed her husband. But he was a close member of the “The Firm,” thus untouchable. At that moment, Scarlet took a call. She killed the Mafia and turned into a fugitive. Killers were looking for her like hounds, and Scarlet couldn’t risk Sam’s life. Thus, she left her behind with Nathan and the sisterhood.
Sam and her relationship with Emily
Sam didn’t want to kill the accountant, but she did kill an innocent by pulling the trigger. The remorse weighed her down. She tried to rectify her mistake by saving the man’s life and saving his daughter, Emily. Sam saved the daughter but wasn’t able to save the father. She felt she had a responsibility towards her.
Sam felt emotionally inclined towards Emily because, in her, she saw her childhood. A childhood spent without parental care and support. She didn’t want Emily to face the horrors once Sam lived, and thus, she ardently protected her against all odds. Funnily, Sam’s odds were much more lethal, but that’s how one builds drama. In the end, Sam adopts Emily as her daughter and she becomes a part of the sisterhood.
‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Ending Explained
In the library massacre, McAlester’s army raided the library and killed a librarian, Madeleine (Carla Gugino). McAlester’s nephew kidnapped Emily amid chaos.
After paying the last tribute to the martyr Madeleine, Sam cracked a deal with McAlester’s nephew to free Emily in exchange for Sam. The agreement was made, and Sam arrived at the diner alone.
For a brief moment, Sam thought she was all alone on this suicide mission, but her mother couldn’t afford to lose her again. Scarlet, Florence, and Anna May showed up at the diner, dressed as waitresses. In a slow-mo action sequence, the sisterhood wiped off Jim McAlester and his whole gang. Sam saved Emily. All were dealt with except Nathan and the Firm.
What happened to The Firm in the end?
Sam threatened Nathan and made a truce with him. Sam didn’t want to kill Nathan because she knew that a new facilitator would take his place, but there won’t be an end to this chain. Sam ordered Nathan to convince the partners at the Firm to leave the sisterhood in peace. She wanted a peaceful childhood and a secured future for Emily, away from gunshots and assassins.
Fortunately, Nathan agreed. Sisterhood left the city and moved to a remote location near the ocean to live their lives in tranquillity. And yes, Emily forgave Sam for killing her father because she felt that she just pulled the trigger and Karma was upon the group of men who ordered her to do so.
Gunpowder Milkshake is a 2021 Action Thriller film directed by Navot Papushado. It stars Karen Gillan and Lena Headey in the lead roles.
