Premiere - Shadow force : A Star-Studded New York Premiere Marks the Rise of a New Action-Drama Powerhouse

By Mulder, New York, AMC Lincoln Squar, 01 may 2025

New York City is no stranger to glittering film premieres, but on the evening of May 1, 2025, the AMC Lincoln Square became the epicenter of cinematic energy and excitement as Lionsgate unveiled a special screening of Shadow Force, a highly anticipated action-thriller that blends heart-stopping intensity with emotional storytelling. More than just a red carpet event, this premiere felt like a celebration of creative resilience and collaborative power. With its cast and creative team gathered under one roof, the screening offered a tantalizing preview of what could be one of the most emotionally charged action films of the year. The evening wasn’t just about flashing cameras—it was a symbolic moment of arrival for a film that had been in the works since 2019, a film built on love, betrayal, and high-stakes survival.

Headlining the evening were stars Kerry Washington and Omar Sy, whose presence electrified the venue. Washington, who also serves as one of the film’s producers, arrived with characteristic elegance, greeting fans and press with warmth and excitement. Omar Sy, already a beloved figure thanks to his international breakout roles, brought a grounded charisma that perfectly reflects his role as Isaac in the film. The two leads, whose chemistry is already being touted as one of the movie’s strongest assets, were joined by a powerful supporting cast including Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Jahleel Kamara, Sala Baker, Ed Quinn, Natalia Reyes, and Cliff “Method Man” Smith. The screening also drew an eclectic mix of celebrity guests—Matt Damon, Chuck D, Scott Foley, Eric West, and Jerome Lamaar—adding to the prestige and visibility of the event.

Inside the theater, the buzz was palpable as audiences got an early look at Joe Carnahan’s newest directorial effort. Known for his gritty, high-adrenaline filmmaking style (The Grey, Narc, Smokin’ Aces), Carnahan brings his signature edge to Shadow Force but tempers it with a deeply human story at its core. The film follows Kyrah and Isaac, two former operatives from a global black-ops unit who break the rules by falling in love and having a child. Forced to go on the run with their son, they’re relentlessly hunted by the very force they once led. This emotional hook—parents protecting their child from a deadly past—resonated strongly with viewers at the screening, many of whom praised the film for offering both explosive action and a surprisingly tender narrative core.

Following the screening, the party moved to The Venue, where cast, crew, and special guests gathered for a post-screening celebration that was equal parts reunion and victory lap. Anecdotes flowed freely, especially around the film’s unique development path. Originally conceived by writer Leon Chills, the script had been nurtured by Kerry Washington’s production company Simpson Street in collaboration with Sterling K. Brown’s Indian Meadows and Steven “Dr.” Love’s Made with Love Media. Chills’ script was a standout in 2019, and over the following years it weathered creative changes—including a shift in director from Victoria Mahoney to Carnahan in 2022, and a cast reshuffling that brought in Omar Sy. Despite these adjustments, the spirit of the project remained intact. Washington reportedly described the journey as “a labor of love and perseverance,” and the joy on display during the New York premiere reflected just how far the film has come.

The decision to host such a grand premiere event in New York, rather than Los Angeles, was intentional—a gesture of accessibility, energy, and narrative symbolism. New York represents reinvention, grit, and emotional complexity, all values that align with the story of Shadow Force. It also allowed the film’s producers to generate buzz ahead of its May 9, 2025 release, strategically positioned just after Marvel’s Thunderbolts and in time for Mother’s Day weekend. The holiday timing feels particularly apt: at its heart, Shadow Force is about family, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between parents and child—elements that go beyond standard action fare and into more universal emotional territory.

For many in attendance, the premiere wasn’t just a glamorous night out—it felt like the start of something impactful. With its bold storytelling, richly diverse cast, and emotional undercurrents, Shadow Force is shaping up to be more than just a mid-spring blockbuster. It could be a breakout moment for new kinds of genre filmmaking—where heart and spectacle coexist without compromise. The New York premiere confirmed what many have suspected: Shadow Force isn’t here to follow in the footsteps of traditional action flicks—it’s carving its own path, one emotional bullet at a time.

You can discover the official photos in our flickr page

You can discover the official red carpet interviews just below :

itw B Quinn Curry 

itw Da Vine Joy Randolph 

itw Ed Quinn 

itw Jahleel Kamara 

itw Jenel Stevens Thompson 

itw Joe Carnahan 

itw Kerry Washington 

itw Leon Chills

itw Marshall Cook 

itw Omar Sy 

itw Pilar Savone 

itw Stephen Dr Love 

itw Natalia Reyes 

Synopsis : 
An estranged couple with a bounty on their heads must go on the run with their son to avoid their former employer, a unit of shadow ops that has been sent to kill them.

Shadow Force
Directed by Joe Carnahan
Written by Leon Chills, Joe Carnahan
Produced by Kerry Washington, Pilar Savone, Steven "Dr." Love, Sterling K. Brown
Starring  Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Cliff "Method Man" Smith
Cinematography : Juan Azpiroz
Edited by Kevin Hale, Mike Sale
Music by Craig DeLeon
Production companies : Made with Love Media, Simpson Street, Indian Meadows Productions
Distributed by Lionsgate
Release date : May 9, 2025 (United States), 
Running time : 104 minutes

Photos : Starpix for Lionsgate