Samuel L. Fronsman‘s crime film In the Hands of Fate (2025) is busy punchy fun. It rolls along with the speed of a runaway train, although it pauses occasionally to look back at earlier events. Fronsman has managed to “out Rodriguez” Robert Rodriguez here. He produces, writes, directs, films, acts, edits and casts this movie. The only thing he does not do is the score. Eros Cartechini wears that crown.
*Side note: Fronsman does actually share cinematography credit with four other people.*
the story
Donovan Harlow reluctantly agrees to become a hitman for Rocco Scoletti. His first job does not go off as planned; he lets a witness live. This starts a chain of events that includes a cult and Donovan’s fury at the drug entangled witness stealing from his new boss.
the cast
Adam Joseph Turner is Donovan.
Keith Migra is Vic Giovanni.
Sofia Bianchi is Ashe Winters.
Steve Scionti is Rocco.
Joseph Legion Slade is Jeremiah Smith.
Megan Reneau is Charlotte Woolfe.
Heather Bayles is Amber.
A nod or two
That Fronsman loves film is obvious. He manages to allow a nod or two in the direction of other films. Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood is one nod that leaps out at the audience. Jeremiah, after losing control of his followers, loses it in front of a mirror. His scene is one of disappointed rage. It is reminiscent of Rick Dalton’s angry scene in the Tarantino film. In the Hands of Fate also harks back to the old gangster films of the 70’s and 80’s.
button, button
In the Hands of Fate feels, at times, to be a case of “Button, button, who’s got the button.” Rocco is looking for the stolen money, the stolen hitman and trying to get the whole mess sorted out. Meanwhile the cult is having some serious membership issues as Jeremiah focusses on the money.
Reluctance is a virtue
Fronsman is not afraid to use standard tropes and stereotypes to tell his story. He also does not hesitate to step outside the box when he needs to. His protagonist Donovan is a character who, while trying to make ends meet, clearly does not relish his new job.
His reluctance to kill the witness to his first hit can be seen as a virtue but, like the rest of the characters, he is not overly likable.
Similarly, the drug abusing woman who the hitman lets off, then steals from his boss. Her character is unlikeable and one that does not generate a lot of sympathy.
Reloads, who needs reloads?
One of the best moments in the film is the big fight towards the end. I don’t want to give too much away but… The amount of firepower is impressive and feels like a sly, or not so sly, dig at the lack of gun control in the USA. The cult members all have firearms of some sort.
The only real issue here is that, like many other films on offer at the moment, no one reloads their weapon. All, apparently, have magical ammunition that never runs out.
Sound
The soundtrack of In the Hands of Fate is not obtrusive. You can hear the actors without straining. Musically, each scene fits nicely.
Stunts
The stunt choreography is capable and the actors try to show recoil with their CG gunfire. The gunfights themselves? All the weapons look and sound good.
The verdict
I can safely give In the Hands of Fate a solid 3.5 stars out of 5. As a film, it includes a lot. It is busy. There are some great bits in it that make the movie fun to watch. What is amazing about the entire project is that it has a reported budget of $7,000.00. That is some pretty impressive ingenuity.
*Side note: Kudos to Heather Bayles in her cameo sized role as Donovan’s ex. Also to Joseph Legion Slade as the cult leader, his sugar laden faux Southern tones are a treat.*
The Trailer
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