How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022)

“If SUV drivers were a nation, in 2018 they would have ranked seventh for CO2 emissions.” states Andreas Malm’s 2021 novel “How to Blow Up a Pipeline”. The non-fiction manifesto, which inspired Daniel Goldhaber’s film of the same name, is a compelling analysis of contemporary climate activism and the ineffectiveness of pacifism in the fight against climate change. Goldhaber’s adaptation of Malm’s novel is a unique take on the heist genre that entertains and educates its audiences, and surpasses all expectations.

In “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” eight environmental activists hatch a plan to blow-up an oil pipeline and protest the damage being done by climate change everyday. The group, comprised of individuals directly impacted by the pollution of oil refineries, and those who want to further and support the cause, head to West Texas where a recently constructed oil pipeline, the target of their explosive frustration, is located. Once armed with home-made bombs the size of oil barrels, the group gets to work sabotaging the pipeline and hopefully getting their urgent message across to those in power. As their plan comes to fruition, will surveillance drones and maintenance workers thwart their destructive scheme, or will they succeed in getting their message out to thousands and prompt serious change in the world?

The film is led by knockout performances from the entire ensemble cast. Ariela Barer gives an assured and absorbing performance as Xochitl, a college student from Long Beach, California who experienced the noxious effect of climate change first hand after her mother dies in a ‘freak heatwave’. Xochitl’s lifelong friend Theo, brought to life through a brilliant performance by Sasha Lane, is also forced to deal with the impact of pollution after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukimia known to be linked to pollution pumped out of oil refineries. “The Revenant” breakout Forrest Goodluck also delivers a commanding performance as Michael, a Native American self-taught explosives specialist who spends his time filming his explosive crafts and picking fights with oil workers. Goodluck, Barer and Lane’s performances are accompanied by strong turns from the rest of the ensemble which includes Kristine Froseth (“The Society”), Lukas Gage (“Euphoria”), Jayme Lawson (“The Woman King”), “Black-ish” star Marcus Scribner, and Jake Weary (“It Follows”).

Stellar direction from Daniel Goldhaber allows the Colorado native to assert himself as someone who is able to deliver a thrilling, and thoroughly entertaining feature on a small budget with ease. Goldhaber’s work in the director’s chair does a brilliant job of building nail-biting tension, while also promoting an urgent message about the fight against climate change. Tehillah De Castro, known for her work on music videos like Silk Sonic’s “Skate”, and the upcoming HBO series “The Idol”, provides the film with attractive cinematography that allows the striking performances to take centre stage in the middle of the New Mexico desert. Composer Gavin Brivik, who previously worked with Goldhaber on the 2018 psychological horror “Cam”, crafts a stirring score that skilfully builds the tension needed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout the entire 104-minute runtime.

Despite being adapted from a non-fiction novel with no character-led story, “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” still manages to be a stellar book-to-screen adaptation. The film takes examples of activism mentioned directly in Malm’s book, like the slashing of SUV tires , except American SUVs are the focus of the attacks instead of the ‘affluent Swedes’ mentioned in the book. The film sends a powerful message about the urgency and necessity of fighting climate change, as well as the stark realisation that passive activism has failed, and violence, like property destruction, is the only way to get higher-ups to listen and change their ways.

Daniel Goldhaber delivers a distinctive take on the heist genre, creating a film that can be likened to those from Steven Soderbergh and exceeds expectations. “How to Blow up A Pipeline” is led by knockout performances from Ariela Barer, Sasha Lane, and Forrest Goodluck, and paired with Goldhaber’s brilliant direction, allows the film to be considered one of 2023’s best, and a stellar environmentalist thriller. The film delivers a stark look at the severity of climate change, and how without significant action, “property will cost us the earth”, as stated in Andreas Malm’s book.