Night Raiders is set in a near-future North America ravaged by a vaguely defined civil war. Our main character is a mother of a pre-teen who lives off the grid. But when the little girl is injured, they head to a decaying city for help and the girl is promptly captured by the state and sent in for re-education. Mom has to free her.

Probably the most interesting thing about this somewhat drab film is that the lead characters are Native Americans, Cree to be precise (or so says the back of the box). While the state’s education system is required for all children, her being native adds a certain theme of historical forced re-educating of the “savages”. It’s probably the most interesting thing about the film, especially as it adds a large number of indigenous extras (sometimes speaking their own languages).

That’s an interesting theme overlaid on a kind of interesting scenario that is burdened by a sluggard pace and low-fi production. This is clearly an indie film and I guess credit for the minimal amount of set decoration and FX they did. But it really just comes off as dull and drab. Depressing too, but I guess that’s the point.

The film isn’t terrible but it does struggle to reach “good”. I think it’s overall a better idea than it is an actual enjoyable film. Maybe something there that’ll pique your interest… though just as easily could leave you a little bored.

Score: 71