Watch Viper Club

Viper Club is a 2018 American drama film directed by Maryam Keshavarz and stars Susan Sarandon, Matt Bomer, and Lola Kirke in the lead roles. The movie follows a nurse named Helen (Sarandon) who works in a hospital and is the mother of a journalist named Andy (Bomer). One day, Andy is kidnapped in Syria by a terrorist group while he was covering a story. Helen is devastated by the news and tries to do everything possible to bring her son back home.

Helen decides to go to the government agencies for help, but they are unable to help her due to the volatile political climate in the region. She then decides to turn to a group of journalists and freelancers who have themselves faces these situations. They are led by Sam (Edie Falco), a seasoned journalist who has had experience in dealing with hostages. Through these channels, she is introduced to a group of former Special Forces operatives, who offer to help her find her son in Syria.

What follows is a riveting story of a mother's love and the extent she is willing to go to save her child. Helen navigates the complex world of government agencies, private militaries, and murky intelligence operations, with the help of the journalists and the former Special Forces operatives. As she goes through this journey, she discovers the life her son led as a journalist covering conflict zones, almost as if he was living in a world parallel to hers.

The film is set against the backdrop of the Syrian conflict and the threat of ISIS. The movie explores the fragile lines between the personal and the political, the need to find the truth at all costs, and the consequences of translating our ideals and beliefs into action. The film delves into topics such as the toll it takes on the family members when they don't know the whereabouts of their loved ones, the red tape and the bureaucracy that hinder an individual in saving their loved ones, and whether doing the right thing, means making moral compromises.

The performances of the actors were remarkable, most notably Sarandon. She plays the role of Helen with great courage, determination, and nuance, conveying a whole range of complex emotions. Her performance is nothing short of masterful. Bomer, who usually plays suave and charming characters, takes a turn here to a more serious and emotional role, portraying Andy as a principled and committed journalist. Similarly, Lola Kirke's performance as Andy's colleague and friend, Sheila, is grounded and authentic. Edie Falco's role as Sam is both understated and effective, offering a glimpse into the world of conflict zone journalists.

Director Maryam Keshavarz's direction is taut and smart, with a real sense of urgency and tension throughout the movie. The film's score by Gingger Shankar is haunting and melancholic, adding a sense of sadness to the film.

Overall, Viper Club is an intense and engrossing movie that delves into the sensitive topic of conflict zone journalism, the personal cost of engaging in it, and the need to find truth at all costs. It highlights the tragedy of the Syrian war and the human cost of conflict while showing the courage of individuals who put themselves in harm's way to bring the stories out. With outstanding performances and a compelling storyline, this is a movie that should not be missed.