Sundance 2022 Film Festival Premiere – 892 tells the true story of marine war veteran Brian Brown-Easley (John Boyega), driven to threatening to blow up a bank after the VA stiffed him out of money. This thriller is anchored by Boyega’s electric performance. Put simply, he absolutely brings it to this role. He’s also buoyed by a strong supporting cast, including Michael K. Williams in his final role.

Brown-Easley is certain that the VA robbed him of $900. Down on his luck and fearing homelessness, he walks into a Wells Fargo and hands a teller, Rosa (Selenis Leyva), a note that he has a bomb in his backpack. This is very much a story about a man who feels like the system wronged him after he served tours in Iraq and came home, suffering PTSD. Boyega hits all the right notes here. His performance ranges from explosive to moving to quiet and subdued. I’m not sure the Star Wars alum has taken on another role so far with such emotional depth and range. You really feel for this character, who only wants his story to be broadcast to the world so the injustice can be corrected.

Boyega spends most of his on-screen time with Orange Is the New Black star Leyva and Nicole Beharie, who plays Estel, another bank worker. These women give strong performances, too. You can feel their fear and anxiety. They hit emotional heights at just the right moments, especially as they try to talk Brown-Easley down, while also sympathizing with him as he calls his daughter and ex, Cass (Olivia Washington). Williams gives a fine final performance, though he is much quieter than Boyega here. Still, his acting as Sergeant Bernard resonates, too. He provides a lot of the emotional weight to the film, as his character bonds with Brown-Easley because they’re both vets. There’s a real connection there that the others can’t understand. These men have been through something and know that type of pain.

The conclusion is already known for those familiar with Brian Brown-Easley’s story, but that doesn’t make the final 10 minutes any less moving. This isn’t a movie that hits you over the head or preaches. But it does take its time fleshing out the veteran’s story and showing how he was wronged. It makes viewers stop and think about how we treat our veterans once they’re home and whether or not they truly have the resources they need and deserve. 892 is a gripping film, a gut punch with a performance by Boyega that wows. This is his strongest role yet, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. This is also an assured first feature by Abi Damaris Corbin, who wrote the script with Kwame Kwei-Armah. Overall, this is one tense, whirlwind of a thriller. It builds to a conclusion that devastates, even if we know what’s coming.

8 out of 10