Noomi Rapace always amazes me with the energy she brings to each performance. Her work in Close is no exception. She plays Sam, a bodyguard and counter-terrorism agent who must protect a wealthy young heiress, portrayed by Sophie Nélisse. These two women don’t get along at first, but after a kidnapping experience, they begin bonding together -- and it’s this relationship that adds an extra humanistic level to the film’s suspenseful plot.

Also, there’s plenty of mystery to pique our interest. Who are the villains here? What is the heiress’s widowed stepmother (Indira Varma) up to?

But above all, it’s Rapace’s ability to make us wonder about the enigmatic bodyguard she plays and to cheer her on during the numerous battles she must fight. We can’t help thinking of her iconic Lisbeth Salander character in the Swedish versions of  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, and The Girl Who Played with Fire.  

This bodyguard is tough and brave.

She tries to keep an heiress safe.

But complications soon arrive

making it hard to stay alive.

Both women face some killers now.

They’re not sure about who or how.

The stepmom is a good suspect

and others you might not expect.

Big business deal comes into play.

So bodyguard must save the day.

Suspense and action fill the screen.

And Noomi Rapace gets real mean!

She boxes, kicks, shoots and stabs.

Plus fixes feet and facial scabs.

Though confusing in certain bits,

Close is a thriller that Noomi fits.

Sophie Nélisse (The Great Gilly Hopkins) and Indira Varma (Exodus: Gods and Kings, Game of Thrones) are also fascinating to watch as the stepdaughter and stepmother. The tension between them practically jumps off the screen. We wonder if anything can salvage their dysfunctional relationship.  And worse, is the stepmother the one out to harm her stepdaughter, who has inherited the family’s lucrative mining business?

Atmospheric location shots and background music help set the stage for this intriguing female-driven motion picture directed and co-written by Vicky Jewson (Lady Godiva). Don’t worry, guys, the action scenes are also very exciting.

The stronger the participation of the female characters, the better the movie. They knew that in the old days, when women stars were equally as important as men. --- Clint Eastwood.

(Released by Netflix and rated “TV-MA.”)

For more information about Close, go to the IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes website.