Hailee Steinfeld in crime-thriller ‘Term Life’

CEBU, Philippines - Vince Vaughn and Hailee Steinfeld play father and daughter who are out of options and out of time in the crime thriller “Term Life.”

Directed by Peter Billingsley, “Term Life” is based on the graphic novel by A.J. Lieberman and Nick Thornborrow about an unscrupulous criminal Nick Barrow (Vaughn) who takes out a million dollar life insurance policy, making his daughter Cate (Steinfeld) his sole beneficiary.

With the underworld organization trailing his every step to prevent him from receiving his payout, he must outwit them and protect his daughter at all times until the policy takes effect.

 Vaughn, who is widely known for his raunchy, R-rated comedy movies, takes a turn for the dramatic and gritty in “Term Life” where his character Nick is running from the mob and nowhere to go, decides to finally make amends with his daughter, Cate.

“The story’s unpredictable. It takes turns, and things happen that you don’t see from studio films, both with who lives, who dies, and what takes place,” Vaughn said. “On another level, I think it’s honest and real to the psychology of what goes on with divorce and children and parents, the hurt and resentment. There’s a lot of honest stuff where that’s concerned.”

Steinfeld, one of today’s fast rising actresses, describes her role in “Term Life” as a typical teenager but also old-school.

“She’s raised herself. She is who she is because of herself. Her mom is in and out of rehab and she’ll get unexpected phone calls from her hoping that she’s doing well, and she’s not. That’s absolutely the biggest let-down for anyone let alone your daughter. Things like that build her character in terms of strength and independence,” she said.

“Term Life” is currently showing in Philippine cinemas. (FREEMAN)