Noomi Rapace
Sam Carlson
Overview
A counter-terrorism expert takes a job protecting a young heiress. After an attempted kidnapping puts both of their lives in danger, they must flee.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Bodyguard’s Burden: Noomi Rapace in Close
I keep thinking about the way Noomi Rapace moves in Close. Not the way she fights—though there’s plenty of that—but the way she walks. There’s a stiffness to her, a tension coiled in her shoulders, as if she’s always bracing for impact.
It’s the walk of someone who’s spent too long waiting for the next threat, someone who’s learned that stillness is just another kind of vulnerability. That physicality tells you everything you need to know about Sam Carlson, the bodyguard at the center of Vicky Jewson’s 2019 thriller. Sam isn’t just protecting a client; she’s carrying the weight of every life she’s ever failed to save.
And in Close, that weight might finally break her.
The premise is straightforward enough: Sam, a former counter-terrorism operative, takes a job guarding Zoe Tanner (Sophie Nélisse), a teenage heiress whose family fortune makes her a target. When a kidnapping attempt goes wrong, the two women flee through the labyrinthine streets of Casablanca, pursued by an unseen enemy. It’s the kind of setup that’s been done before—The Bodyguard (1992), Man on Fire (2004), even Atomic Blonde (2017) all mine similar territory—but Jewson isn’t interested in reinventing the wheel.
What she’s after is something more intimate: the psychological toll of protection, the way violence clings to you long after the guns stop firing.
That’s where Rapace shines. She’s an actor who understands that tension isn’t just in the fists or the jaw, but in the eyes. Watch the way she scans a room, her gaze flicking from exit to exit like a metronome.
There’s no wasted movement, no grandstanding. Even in the quieter moments, when Sam is supposed to be off-duty, Rapace keeps her on edge. A hand resting on a table isn’t just resting—it’s ready to grab a weapon.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.2/10
"A tense but uneven action thriller with a strong lead performance from Noomi Rapace, though it struggles with pacing and originality."
Noomi Rapace’s portrayal of a bodyguard is widely praised for its intensity and physicality, anchoring the film’s high-stakes moments. However, the plot’s reliance on familiar action tropes and a sometimes sluggish pace leaves viewers wanting more depth and innovation. The dynamic between Rapace and Sophie Nélisse adds emotional weight, latestnetflix.com maintains, but the supporting cast and script fail to elevate the material beyond a standard thriller.
What viewers praise
- Noomi Rapace’s performance Rapace delivers a compelling and physically demanding performance as a hardened bodyguard, earning consistent praise for her intensity.
- Tense action sequences The film’s action scenes, particularly those involving close-quarters combat and chase sequences, are well-executed and gripping.
- Chemistry between leads The dynamic between Rapace and Nélisse is highlighted as a standout element, adding emotional stakes to the thriller framework.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn action-thriller tropes, offering few surprises and leaving viewers underwhelmed by its lack of originality.
- Uneven pacing The film’s pacing is criticized for dragging in places, particularly during exposition-heavy scenes that slow down the momentum.
- Underdeveloped supporting cast The supporting characters, including the antagonists, are seen as thinly written and fail to leave a lasting impression.
Recommended for
Action thriller fans Noomi Rapace enthusiasts Female-led action movie lovers Netflix original movie viewers High-stakes bodyguard story seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNoomi Rapace and Vicky Jewson on Crafting Close—Netflix’s High-Stakes Female-Led Thriller
Netflix’s 2019 action thriller Close arrived with a mission: to redefine the female bodyguard trope. Starring Noomi Rapace as Sam Carlson, a hardened protection specialist assigned to a teenage heiress (Sophie Nélisse), the film blends high-octane set pieces with a rare focus on a woman navigating a male-dominated field. latestnetflix.com's view is that Behind the scenes, director Vicky Jewson and Rapace pushed for authenticity—both in the action and the emotional core of the story.
A Passion Project for Female-Led Action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnlUnRwCTLs
Jewson, who also co-wrote the script, has been vocal about her frustration with the lack of complex female action heroes. In interviews, she revealed that Close was inspired by real-life close protection officers, particularly women working in hostile environments . The film’s title itself is a nod to the industry term for the tight security perimeter around a client—fitting for a story where trust is as critical as combat skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knv3Lm9ayF0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUAqbdfeL44
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YATgcZiiXQA
Rapace, known for her physically demanding roles (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus), embraced the challenge. She trained extensively for the role, including hand-to-hand combat and tactical driving, to ensure her fight scenes felt visceral and believable . Jewson praised Rapace’s dedication, noting that the actress insisted on performing many of her own stunts—a rarity in big-budget action films .
Morocco as a Character
The film’s North African setting wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a deliberate choice to heighten the stakes. Jewson shot in Morocco to capture the tension of a region where kidnappings and political instability are real threats . The arid landscapes and bustling markets amplify the film’s sense of danger, making Sam’s job protecting her young charge even more precarious.
Reception: Mixed but Noteworthy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWKsiHEpiJM
Critics were divided on Close. While some praised its breakneck pacing and Rapace’s commanding performance, others found the plot predictable 
. The film holds a modest 4.9/10 on SensCritique, with viewers noting its formulaic structure but appreciating its attempt to center a woman in a genre typically dominated by men . Netflix’s marketing leaned into the film’s feminist angle, positioning it as a fresh take on the action-thriller genre .
**The Legacy of *Close***
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQFgRZ2qrV8
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Though not a blockbuster, Close contributed to the growing wave of female-led action films in the late 2010s. Jewson and Rapace’s collaboration highlighted the demand for stories where women aren’t just sidekicks or love interests but fully realized heroes. The film’s release on Netflix also ensured a wide audience, sparking conversations about representation in action cinema .
For fans of Rapace or tight, suspenseful thrillers, Close delivers—even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Its real impact may lie in proving that female-driven action can thrive outside the traditional studio system.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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