Kerry Washington and Omar Sy Redefine Parenthood in ‘Shadow Force’
Kerry Washington, in her action film debut, stars alongside Omar Sy as Kyrah and Issac, former international operatives turned off-the-grid parents fighting to protect their son. It’s a high-octane thriller that centers a Black family while challenging cinematic stereotypes.
“For me, there’s this interesting theme in my work around protecting children,” Washington told theGrio.
“Since Scandal ended, a lot of the work that I do explores issues on motherhood and parenting… it was really wonderful to kind of have this new chapter where I’m trying to save my son with my husband, and we do save our son.”
Parenting Under Pressure—On and Off the Screen
In Shadow Force, the emotional stakes are as intense as the action scenes. Washington and Sy’s characters don’t just dodge bullets—they navigate the real-life balancing act of parenting. “All of us who are parenting are bad asses,” Washington said. “We’re always balancing the need to be fierce and strong… with the need to be present and loving.”
Washington, a mother of four, said the film helped her reflect on what it means to be both protective and nurturing in a world that often asks Black women to choose between strength and softness. “Not all of us are trained mercenaries… but we are all in our parenting trying to balance that courage with that love.”
Omar Sy Reflects on Fatherhood Through the Role
For Omar Sy, the film was more than a career move—it was a personal revelation. Known for roles in Lupin and The Killer, Sy said Shadow Force shifted how he views work and fatherhood. As a father of five, he acknowledged the sacrifices made by parents who travel for work.
“It changed my relationship with the fact that I’m traveling for my family,” he said. “It’s a sacrifice that requires strength… but it’s also very strong to come back. I feel so grateful to be able to come back more often.”
