Breaking my Bodyguard

starring: SARAH-GRACE DONNELLY & RYLEY SCHROEDER

Vera Marchesa just wants one thing: freedom from the dangerous mafia world she grew up in, and her overprotective bodyguard Dante, who refuses to love her. Determined to prove she's not a helpless princess, Vera pushes the one line Dante swore never to cross ... even if that means they will crash and burn together.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh this is tosh but such utterly wonderful enjoyable tosh. Look the dialogue occasionally creaks. Would be nice if Vera was given a bit more to do than be endlessly rescued. And think it would have been better set in college rather than high school.

But WHATEVER. Loved it anyway

Because this is cool - good grief @ryley_schroeder had a role a lot of people would die for, he gets to do action, stride around in a leather duster and be compared to John Wick. But it is more than that. I suspect he won't be long in the vertical world as anyone with half a brain is going to swoop him up and cast him in something big. Breakout star here. He can do vulnerable and violent and noble all at once

And love this upward career trajectory for @sarahgraceee - always been great in verts, but now getting more interesting projects, and when paired with Ryley the pair spark off the screen. And Sarah does an amazing job with a tricky character, stops Vera seeming too spoilt, and shows her growing in strength - confidence, in particular when she stands up to her dad at the end and shoots the gun out of Bennet's hand

@rileyelizabethdavis is suitably mean and horrible and does terrible things to soft toys.

@andrew_bova has found his dark side and proves much more of a menace to poor Vera

And @actordavidsonnash brings the bluster as the Mafia King, vicious at the beginning, but weaker later on, especially as none of his team seem to spot that handsome man in a hoody and baseball cap hanging around everywhere. Terrible security. Dante will be a much better Don.

Anyway all very enjoyable - I am bias as bodyguard romances are my vibe.

But huge thanks to the team - loved this.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Look I was holding out until the end – and then the bit with the kids and I was gone. Oh this is good. Some great bits – like Dante telling Vera he could have resisted her if she was just beautiful, but it is her personality that pulled him in. The dialogue creaks occassionally, but just surrender to this. Give in, and take it as it is. This is Booktok romance heaven, and the leads smash it. Also want a male lead with aura – Dante has a leather duster, knuckle dusters, golden gun, leather trousers, buzz cut and holsters. Ladies you don't stand a chance. It is all very Jason Bourne and competent and that can be mega swoonworthy.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Right - Sloane is appalling - SHE BURNS THE JELLYCAT BUNNY Then we realise the bigger problem is two faced Bennet. And face licking is always an ick. But actually I am going to say Vera's dad - it is his career / job that is endangering Vera, she has no life with him. Then he brings in an orphan boy to guard her and acts all surprised when they fall in love. DUH!

😂 Comedy gold:

Sloane's panic when she finds out who Vera's dad is at the end. Whoops!

🎺 Unsung hero:

This vertical is cool someone has thought about the shots. Dante gets some amazing entrances, and we have mega cool scenes like the fire extinguisher, Vera tipping them both into the swimming pool. Round of applause to everyone who made this happen - the result is it looks stylish, and tight and darn good.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Silvano Lázaro | 2026

Available on Reelshort