In the indie thriller Hungry Dog Blues, Jason Abrams tells the story of a son who is pushed to his limits in order to clear his father’s name. The film opens with Charlie sitting at his father’s bedside after a failed suicide attempt. His father’s last words reveal that all the family’s money was stolen by Ronnie, who was working for her boss, Walker.

Charlie, along with his step-brother Terrance, sets out to find Ronnie and get answers. They track down Ronnie’s estranged daughter, Tina, who agrees to help them locate her mother. After an intense standoff, they subdue Ronnie and try to get her to reveal Walker’s location. However, Ronnie offers to clear Frank’s name if Charlie kills Walker.

Writer/director Jason Abrams uses guerrilla film techniques to elevate the quality of Hungry Dog Blues. He focuses on character development, creating well-grounded and authentic characters who are put in life-threatening situations. The film features fighting, gunplay, and copious amounts of blood, but never places the characters in situations where they need to be superhuman.

Amy Hargreaves’ performance as Ronnie is a standout, as she portrays a two-faced character who is the perfect counter to Charlie and Tina’s naivety. Her presence creates engaging storytelling, and constantly questioning Charlie’s decisions to move forward.

Overall, Hungry Dog Blues proves that indie thrillers can rival Hollywood by keeping the story simple and focusing on putting its characters in peril. It’s a testament to the fact that Hollywood doesn’t own the genre.