Extraction is the newest movie released on the streaming platform Netflix.  The movie is directed by Sam Hargrave, his first foray in the director’s chair, and stars Chris Hemsworth as a mercenary hired to extract a drug lord’s kid through a hostile gang’s territory.

What makes this movie special, and what I think will contribute to multiple re-watching’s, is the fantastic and visceral stunts performed and the technical marvels that Hargrave is able to achieve with the action throughout the movie. Hargrave is actually a veteran stunt coordinator with the Avengers movies and recent Captain America movies. Not only is this movie directed by someone attached with the marvel movies, it was also co-written and produced by Joe Russo and his brother Anthony (the directors behind Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame). It is clear this movie is not made by amateurs, and even though the plot is definitely on the lighter side the action of this movie is top notch.

Chris Hemsworth does an excellent job as merc Tyler Rake. We get a clear character arc and begin to understand how he became the ruthless bad-ass he portrays throughout the runtime. Hemsworth is still in peak physical shape, looking absolutely yoked, and watching him effortlessly toss people like ragdolls is enjoyable enough to keep watching. But unlike action heroes of the past, the Arnolds’ and Stallones’ of the 80’s, Hemsworth displays a darker and more troubled hero. There are scenes where the character is vulnerable and hurt and it adds so much more to the experience seeing one-man journey through a near suicide mission to save this kid.

Rudhraksh Jaiswal plays Ovi, son of a drug lord in India. While he has a few good moments with Hemsworth, the character seems more as an afterthought to the story. I would have liked more exploration into his character, although I did feel the bond between the two characters was genuine. A character that I think really shined, aside from the main character, was that of Randeep Hooda’s Saju. Rival and semi-antagonist toward Hemsworth’s Tyler, Hooda’s Saju had great levity in his character and was not just a ruthless killer without motivation. While Saju was great as a constant pursuing force, the other villains of the movie lacked any real weight. The rival gang and corrupt police force were mostly just unnamed goons destined to be killed by the two war-machines on their goal of protecting Ovi.

The real main attraction of this movie I believe is the action. With John Wick creating this sort of action movie renaissance of non-stop, well-choregraphed and excellently shot scenes this movie is in contention with the best. This movie having action scenes that are so intense and visceral that your eyes will be glued to the screen. Every hit, every tackle, every punch thrown in this film feels like there is weight to it. Characters react in a realistic way and the action can be very brutal at times. Watching Tyler kill someone with a tool that shares his last name is vicious and adds to the intensity found throughout every fight scene. While I see every action scene as an enjoyable ride and suspense to watch, the one-take at around the mid-point of the movie is an absolute marvel.

There is an 11 minute one-take (refers to a series of long, single-camera shots merged to look like one long take) that begins with a car chase sequence through the streets, to a brawl in some Bangladeshi apartments, and ends with a knife fight with Saju. This entire sequence is a heart pounder and displays the director’s main strength. From strapping himself to the top of a car to achieve the car scene shots to Hemsworth doing all his own stunts, the way Hargrave achieved this is fantastic and deserves praise. This movies dedication to the craft is great and the stunt performers and coordinators deserve recognition for the work they were able to achieve. I myself love a good action scene and I believe this movie gives some of the best in cinema. I think stunt coordinators, performers, directors, etc. will and should study this film and truly ponder what details a good action scene.

I would highly recommend the spectacle that is Extraction if you are looking for a good, violent action movie. While the story is a bit weak, it is not the main stay or draw for the movie. I enjoyed my watch and look forward to seeing what this team can put together in the future, whether it be a sequel or something new, I will look forward to their next adventure. You can watch Extraction right now on Netflix and unlike most Netflix originals is not a snoozer.